Firefighters are being urged by union leaders to just accept an elevated pay deal aimed toward avoiding the primary nationwide strike motion by the service in 20 years.
A revised supply was made earlier this week to the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) of a 7% pay rise backdated to final July and an extra 5% from July this yr.
The union’s govt has unanimously advisable the deal, which it has described as “a significant shift” by employers.
It can be put to a poll which opens on 20 February and closes on 6 March.
The union postponed threatened walkouts whereas members are consulted.
Firefighters had beforehand overwhelmingly backed motion, with 88% voting in favour of strikes.
However, the management additionally stated it might “not sugar-coat” the supply, arguing firefighters had seen a 12% drop in earnings since 2010.
FBU common secretary Matt Wrack advised members: “We should all be proud of the campaign we have run to get this far.
“We have now moved our employers from 2% in June final yr, to five% in November, and now to 7% plus 5%.
“This achievement was only possible because of our overwhelming mandate for strike action.
“It is evident proof of the worth of collective bargaining and negotiation versus so-called ‘unbiased’ pay evaluation our bodies.
“I can also confirm that there are no ‘strings’ attached to this offer.
“It locations no situations on our working situations or position remit, and for the primary time our employers have formally recognised the significance of key FBU calls for round retained members, management members and pay development.
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“However, we will not sugar-coat this offer, or the realities of firefighter pay. Since 2010, firefighters have lost more than 12% of the value of their pay.
“Given the present charge of inflation, 7% is one other real-terms pay minimize for the present pay spherical (which runs from July 2022 to July 2023). For the next yr (July 2023 to July 2024), when inflation is forecast to be decrease, 5% could quantity to a slight enhance in real-terms pay.
“The executive council has weighed up the positives and negatives and decided that, on balance, we recommend that members vote to accept this offer.”
The final nationwide strike by firefighters was in 2003.
Source: information.sky.com”