Clarkson backlash grows Firefighters strike looms

FOR the first time since 2003, members of the Fire Brigades Union in Britain on Monday, January 30, voted in favour of industrial action. According to a union spokesperson, with a 73 per cent turnout, 88 per cent of its 32,000 members chose to down tools. Similarly, in Northern Ireland, on a turnout of 68 per cent, 94 per cent of firefighters voted to strike.

The union bosses offered the government one last chance to improve its offer by giving them another 10 days to think about it. A 5 per cent increased pay offer was declined by the union last November.

It claimed one in five jobs has been cut since 2010, with firefighters’ real­terms earnings also dropping by 12 per cent.

“Firefighters have faced a sustained attack on pay for more than a decade, with average pay falling by about £4,000 in real terms. Our members face hazardous situations every day and sometimes risk their health to do the job,” stated FBU general secretary Matt Wrack.

According to reports, office and cleaning staff have been undergoing emergency training in anticipation of any industrial action occurring.