Firefighters part of the Fire Brigades Union have delivered a decisive mandate for strike action, with 88% voting Yes on a 73% turnout. 

The strike ballot opened on 5 December and closed on 30 January. 

In the hope of averting strike action, the union has given the government and employers nine days (until 9 February) to come forward with an improved offer which could be put to a vote. 

The vote on industrial action follows more than a decade of pay cuts and research findings which show that firefighters are significantly more likely to develop cancer than the general population. 

Longton Community Fire Station, Uttoxeter Road (Sarah Garner).

Matt Wrack, General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: "This is an overwhelming vote for strike action against an offer which would mean further significant cuts to real terms wages for firefighters and control room staff.

"They have already lost at least 12% of the value of their pay since 2010.

"Our members risk their health and safety, and sometimes their lives, round the clock to keep people safe and serve their communities. However, with inflation and energy bills rocketing, they are now increasingly struggling to pay the bills or to afford the basics. 

"We have delayed calling strikes to allow the employers to meet us and to make a new offer. I hope they take that opportunity. Otherwise, in the coming weeks, we intend to announce a series of strike dates and industrial action."

Find out more information at https://www.fbu.org.uk/campaigns/fair-pay-or-fire-strike (FBU).

Glynn Luznyj, Deputy Chief Fire Officer at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We do hope that negotiations between the Fire Brigades Union and the employers do find a satisfactory solution to resolve this trade dispute and avoid industrial action." 

"We have contingency plans in place for Staffordshire that we've started to implement, should strike action be announced." 

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