Firefighters have temporarily suspended their strike in order to evaluate a new, higher salary offer.
Eighty-eight percent of Fire Brigades Union members decided to strike in December 2022. It would have been the first nationwide fire outbreak in the UK since 2003.
The union received an updated offer of a seven percent pay increase retroactive to July 1, 2022, on Tuesday.
The proposal would also include a 5% wage increase beginning on July 1, 2023.
Even though no formal agreement has been reached, the strikes have been suspended as union members vote on the proposal.
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, stated, “We have achieved this increase as a result of the massive vote in favor of strike action by firefighters and control staff across the country, which demonstrated the intensity of firefighters’ opposition to wage cuts.”
He emphasized that the offer would still amount to a wage drop in practical terms, but stated that firefighters and control room employees would now “decide whether this pay offer is a real improvement.”
He stated, “Last year, we were offered an insulting two percent.” The employer’s position has been amended.
It is a big boost over the 5% raise given in November 2022.
In London, a trainee firefighter can make up to $28,730, while a trained firefighter can earn up to £37,032.
This week, nurses and ambulance personnel walked off the work, and additional action is anticipated for this week.
Mr. Wrack stated on BBC Radio that it is too early to determine whether union members will accept the offer.
I do not believe that anyone will be jumping for joy. Their wage has been under attack for twelve years. They won’t be overjoyed… because our members are intelligent, they will evaluate whether or not to go on strike.
They will evaluate the current state of the industrial sector.
As a result of the impending strike action, the fire services were reportedly training their office employees to assist with emergency calls.
This might have included individuals working as cleaners, in human resources, building safety work and finance.
The unions have been staging strikes for months, but considerably upped the intensity of actions over the Christmas season.