Firefighters in Fife are warning they face strike action unless the pay offer of 5% is substantially improved. The Fire Brigade Union (FBU) is to consult their members on the latest pay offer through a ballot of the membership which will run for two weeks from the 31st October this year.
Local union reps met with me and told me that since 2007, firefighters have experienced a year on year, below-inflation pay settlement resulting in a real terms cut of £4,800 over the period. With inflation running at well in excess of 10%, the reps warned that strike action looks more likely. They are asking politicians to get behind the campaign for a fair pay deal for the fire service workers.
I have raised the case of firefighters in parliament and have warned the SNP government that the service is underfunded and will leave communities at risk.
Firefighters are worried about the continuing pressures on the service, and they quite rightly want to see their pay keep up with costs.
The Scottish government spending plans risk fire services being decimated. There is already a shortage of firefighters with the minimum crew levels being missed on a regular basis.
We need to see a fair pay award and a costed plan to ensure our fire service are equipped and staffed to meet the growing challenges the service face”.
The FBU issued a statement to MSPs saying:
“Every day Fire Engines sit empty and unstaffed across the length and breadth of Scotland, unable to mobilise to emergency incidents because there are no firefighters to crew them.
“Cuts to the frontline leaves fewer firefighters available to respond to emergencies.
“Greater delays mean an increased risk to the public.
“Cuts costs lives – every delay in responding to a serious fire or road traffic collision increases the risk of serious injury or loss of life.
“If the Scottish Government truly wants to see a modern Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, equipped and trained to meet the current and emerging risks we face as a nation, then they need to commit to providing the investment required to make that a reality.”
Alex Rowley MSP meeting with local FBU Officials
