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Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack vowed crews across Britain were determined to “make up lost ground” after 14 years of Tory austerity, and will be demanding a pay rise of up to 5%
Firefighters will tomorrow demand an inflation-beating pay rise of up to 5%.
Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack vowed crews across Britain were determined to “make up lost ground” after 14 years of Tory austerity.
He said: “I do not want to go on strike. I do not want to see strikes in the fire service but we have to have that right and we have to be prepared to do so if we can’t resolve things or if we are attacked in some way.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has repeatedly stated public finances inherited from the Tories are dire. But improving living standards, Wrack’s aim for firefighters, is one of Labour’s six key targets.
Despite final annual deals of 5% and 4% from the Tories, the goal is for a rise above inflation, which stands at 2.2% but is expected to go up this year.
Mr Wrack added: “We need to restore pay. We’re not expecting that will necessarily happen in one hit but we do expect our members’ living standards to return. Firefighters are on the front line dealing with storms, saving people’s lives in floodwater, protecting communities.
“That’s something they are very proud to do but the truth is, we’re doing it with 12,000 fewer people (after Tory cuts) and that’s effectively doing it with one hand tied behind our back.”
