Strikes by firefighters have been postponed following an increased pay offer during lengthy talks with employers, it was announced on Thursday.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said it had been offered a 7 per cent pay rise backdated to July 2022, and then 5 per cent from July this year. The union had warned of strikes if a previous 5 per cent pay offer was not increased following a huge vote in favour of industrial action.
The new offer will now go to a ballot with union members. The announcement of strike dates has been postponed pending the outcome.
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The FBU said it will have an 'honest and sober' discussion of the offer, adding it still amounts to a real-terms pay cut given the rate of inflation. Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: "This offer is testament to the power of collective action through the Fire Brigades Union.
"Last year we were offered an insulting 2 per cent. The employers have now revised their position.
"We 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. Since 2010, the average firefighter has lost at least 12% of the value of their pay.
"We will now ballot our members. Frontline firefighters and control room staff will make the decision on whether this pay offer is considered a real improvement.
"Our internal discussions will be honest and sober. While the offer is improved from last year, it still amounts to a real-terms pay cut. Meanwhile, plans to announce a series of strike dates and industrial action will be postponed, pending the outcome of the ballot."
The Manchester Evening News previously reported how a team of senior fire officers known as 'chaperones' would be used to tackle front-line incidents in the event of crews going on strike in Greater Manchester. They would be joined by 'stand-in' firefighters recruited partly in case of industrial action.
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