The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) have announced following lengthy discussions firefighters will now postpone strike action after an offer for an increase in pay.
The FBU said that a 7% has been offered which will be backdated to July 2022 and then from July this year there will be another increase of 5%.
FBU general secretary Matt Wrack said, โThis offer is testament to the power of collective action through the Fire Brigades Union.
โLast year we were offered an insulting 2%.
โThe employers have now revised their position.
โWe have achieved this increase because of the massive vote in favour of strike action by firefighters and control staff across the country, which made clear the strength of feeling among firefighters about cuts to their wages.
โSince 2010, the average firefighter has lost at least 12% of the value of their pay.
โWe will now ballot our members.
โFrontline firefighters and control room staff will make the decision on whether this pay offer is considered a real improvement.
โOur internal discussions will be honest and sober.
โWhile the offer is improved from last year, it still amounts to a real-terms pay cut.
โMeanwhile, plans to announce a series of strike dates and industrial action will be postponed, pending the outcome of the ballot.โ
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