British firefighters vote for strikes over pay row
Reuters
Published Jan 30, 2023 16:12
Updated Jan 30, 2023 17:01
By Muvija M
LONDON (Reuters) -British firefighters have voted for a nationwide strike over a pay dispute, their trade union said on Monday, stopping short of setting out exact dates as it gave employers and the government a final shot at resolving the row.
Around 88% of members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) had voted in favour of strike action, on a 73% turnout, the union said in a statement. Its members had rejected a 5% pay offer in November.
The FBU said it has given the government and employers ten days to come forward with an improved offer which could be put to a vote.
Any walkout would be the first national strike by firefighters on pay since 2003.
Responding to the ballot result, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesman said the government would continue to work with the union to see what can be done to mitigate the risks posed by any walkout.
"Strike action would be disappointing and concerning for the public," the spokesman said.
Sunak is facing growing pressure due to prolonged labour unrest in the country, with nurses, train drivers and teachers having staged strikes over the past months for better pay rises as double-digit inflation squeezes household budgets.
"This is an absolute last resort for our members. The responsibility for any disruption to services lies squarely with fire service employers and government ministers," FBU General Secretary Matt Wrack said in the statement.
"We have delayed calling strikes to allow the employers to meet us and to make a new offer. I hope they take that opportunity. Otherwise, in the coming weeks, we intend to announce a series of strike dates and industrial action."
Get The App
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.