Firefighters are 'struggling with the cost of living crisis' following a 'raw pay deal', according to the Greater Manchester mayor.
Andy Burnham said the fire service has 'not necessarily been prioritised in the past' and workers are 'worrying about what's going on' with their own family budgets.
Mr Burnham's comments at the Greater Manchester Police, Fire and Crime Panel last Thursday (January 26) come as it was announced firefighters and control room staff have voted to strike in a dispute over pay.
READ MORE Council tax is set to rise even further as Andy Burnham blames inflation
Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) backed walkouts by 88 per cent on a huge turnout of 73 per cent after earlier rejecting a 5 per cent pay offer. The union said it was giving the Government and employers 10 days to make an improved offer before deciding its next move. No proposed dates have been given yet.
Burnham cited that The Home Office said last year they 'would not fund' a pay increase for firefighters and that this would have to be done on a local level. It was announced last week that Burnham would freeze one part of the council tax bill - but that more money will be contributed towards the police and fire service.
He proposed a 7 per cent increase in the part of the bills which goes towards the fire service - towards the upkeep of stations, engines and firefighters, blaming 'record high inflation and energy costs' and a lack of support from central government.
The mayor also slammed the government for allowing '999 services to fall into a position where they can't serve the public in this year of all years'.
He said: "Our firefighters, particularly, I think, have had a raw deal when it comes to pay. I think we need to recognise that. It's not saying we've got a huge amount of money to put into this, but I think we do have to recognise that something has to be done here to help them. They're our residents and they're struggling with the cost of living crisis.
"We have to recognise that firefighters have had a cut in real terms to their salary from a decade ago. The fire service has not necessarily been prioritised in the past.
"If it is your job to go out at night at anti-social hours and keep other people safe in their homes, you will not be able to do that job if while you're out doing your work, you're worrying about what's going on in your home and your own family budget.
"If you are going to do that job, putting yourself in harms way for others, I think you need to know that your own circumstances have a degree of security around them so you can then go out and serve people and keep them safe. I think that's where we find ourselves with the situation right now.
"The Home Office made clear to us late last year that they would not fund any pay increase for firefighters, that this would have to be done locally.
"I do not believe it is good government - that could mean national or local - to allow 999 services to fall into a position where they can't serve the public in this year of all years. At a time when people might be using different ways of heating their own homes in terms of lighting fires, lighting candles, I honestly believe we need to do everything within our power to ensure our firefighters are fairly treated and therefore there is a service continuity this year for our residents."
Matt Wrack, General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said potential walkouts were a 'last resort' but that the current offer on the table would mean 'significant cuts' to real term wages.
Yvette Cooper, shadow home secretary, said: “Firefighters run towards danger when the rest of us run away. They put their lives and their health at risk to rescue others and they need fair pay and conditions."
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