Staff from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service will be joining other brigades across the country going on strike over pay. It was revealed on Monday that firefighters and control room staff overwhelmingly voted to strike after more than a decade of real-term pay cuts leaving many angry as they struggle to pay bills and resort to food banks.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union backed the walkouts by 88 per cent on a turnout of 73 per cent, which could lead to the first nationwide firefighter strikes over pay to take place since 2003. The decision was made to ballot after FBU members rejected a below-inflation 5 per cent pay offer in November 2022, with the union saying that the vote on industrial action comes after more than a decade of real-terms pay cuts.

The FBU has a 500-member strong representation across Leicestershire, with those staff set to strike if a better offer is not tabled by the Government and employers. An ultimatum has been given to them to offer an increased pay rise within 10 days of the balloting, otherwise they would take their next steps for industrial action and book strike dates.

READ MORE: Firefighters vote to go on strike after rejecting pay offer

This is not a decision taken lightly by the union, who say that their members now face increased pressure on their monthly income because of the cost of living crisis - with some struggling to pay the bills while other consider food banks. FBU Regional Secretary for the East Midlands, Adam Taylor, says that fire service staff are angry at the lack of meaningful pay rises in recent years.

He said: "Leicestershire firefighters are angry, pay has fallen in real terms by almost £4,000 by 2022, with below-inflation pay rises as well as increased costs and energy bills putting them in a difficult situation. Firefighters across the country are having to work out which bills they should pay over others, using food banks, and struggling to put enough fuel in their cars to get them to work.

"Firefighters are helpful people, they want to help others and make a difference, but they can't do that if they can't get fuel in their cars to get to work - or be unable to afford heating or food when they aren't working."

But it's not just the pay, according to Mr Taylor, as firefighters are seeing the impact of cuts to fire services first-hand and the dangers that has. He added: "We're seeing fewer firefighters on fire engines, big cuts made to services, and increasing response times. This just makes the job even more stressful and dangerous.

"Through the pandemic, firefighters went above and beyond. They made face masks, delivered prescriptions, drove ambulances, and even transported bodies of the deceased in the worst-affected areas.

"They go above and beyond and have done before Covid, too. They do not get additional support or funding to deal with flooding, as an example, but they help and support the emergency services to do what they can."

Firefighters tackling fire
Fire service staff are reportedly using food banks to feed their families

No strike dates are currently planned as to give time to the Government and employers to respond, but Mr Taylor has confirmed they are looking to return to the table to discuss things with the union.

He said: "We had an emphatic result which gives us a strong mandate, we said we would not plan strike action to give them time to get round the table to discuss pay and produce a better offer. They are looking to get back and speak to us, which is promising, but industrial action will go ahead if the talks are unsuccessful.

"Firefighters don't take strike action lightly, they lose pay and there's the consequences of being on strike and not being in their roles - they want a resolution to the pay dispute."

If the fire service staff go on strike, it will be up to the Government and employers to provide fire and rescue coverage, Mr Taylor says, as they should have contingency plans in place to deal with such situations.

It has been reported that the army would be drafted in if firefighters go on strike, with staff from fire engines and fire control involved in the strike action.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said the move is a "last resort" - and said the union has given the government 10 days to make an improved offer.

He said: "Firefighters across the UK have spoken. The Fire Brigades Union has a decisive mandate for strike action. This is an overwhelming vote for strike action against an offer which would mean further significant cuts to real terms wages for firefighters and control room staff. They have already lost at least 12% of the value of their pay since 2010.

"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."

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