Firefighters accept pay offer

by Featured News

Firefighters and Control Room staff across the UK have accepted a new pay deal to end their months-long dispute over pay. 96% of Fire Brigades Union members voted to accept the pay offer on an 84% turnout.

The pay settlement is for 7% backdated to July 2022, plus an additional 5% from July 2023. A mandate for strike action served as a crucial factor in moving Fire Service employers to make the revised offer.

Responding to the news, Fire Brigades Union General Secretary Matt Wrack said: “The overwhelming vote by FBU members to accept the improved offer means that the dispute is resolved on terms that are favourable to firefighters. We pay tribute to members of our union for their determination and unity throughout the past year. Firefighters will now receive two pay increases, including nine months of back pay. 

 “This result is testament to the power collective action. Without the huge mandate for strike action by firefighters last month, this deal would never have been achieved. We moved our employers from 2% in June last year, to 5% in November, and now to 7% plus 5% with an agreement to immediate talks on other areas where have concerns over pay.

 “The crucial mechanism for achieving this outcome was direct negotiations with Fire and Rescue Service employers. With collective bargaining, we were able to make our case and avoid industrial action. This would not have been possible with so-called “independent” Pay Review Body. Under a pay review body strike action would have been inevitable and the government needs to wake up to that fact.

“The FBU leadership has been determined not to sugar-coat the offer. For the current year, 7% is still another real terms pay cut. For the following year (July 2023 to July 2024), when inflation is forecast to be lower, 5% may amount to a slight increase in real terms pay.”

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) Interim Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Andy Hearn said: “I am very pleased that Firefighters have accepted the revised pay offer. From the outset, I have been fully committed to finding a suitable pay offer which recognises the efforts of all our Firefighters. This revised pay offer reflects the dedication and commitment of our Firefighters whilst also hopefully alleviating some of the pressures faced during this current financial climate.

“I am thankful that industrial action has been averted. This has allowed us to avoid the implementation of contingency options in Northern Ireland. It allows us to refocus on the continued delivery of a high quality effective and efficient fire and rescue service that the people of Northern Ireland rightly expect. Our Firefighters are committed to helping keep people safe and improving community wellbeing.”

Wrack added: “It’s clear from this dispute that the organised power of trade unions, including being prepared to take strike action when necessary, can protect the pay and conditions of workers.

“At a time when the UK Government is presiding over attacks on the wages of key workers in the NHS, teaching, rail, and postal services, strikes are the first line of defence against those attacks on workers.

“The FBU stands in solidarity with each and every union on strike for decent pay. 

“We will now step up our resistance against the outrageous and authoritarian law that the Tories have rushed through parliament to restrict the rights of working people to take strike action in defence of wages and jobs.” 

Fire and Security workers at HIAL Airports take industrial action

by Featured News

Arrivals and departures from all 11 Highlands and Islands Airports (HIAL) will be thrown into a state of chaos over the next three days (21-23 February) as Unite union members go on strike.

Check-in staff, baggage handlers, ground crew, security workers and fire crews will down tools for 72 hours, starting today, as they demand improvements from HIAL on the 5% pay offer.

Speaking on the latest episode of Good Morning Scotland (GMS), Shauna Wright, industrial officer with Unite Union, said: “We’re dealing with the complexities of this organisation and in itself, it brings its own difficulties but I do have to stress our members are being double hit by this because this started over 10 months ago. This is an ongoing dispute since April last year.

“It is a disgrace that the Scottish Government and HIAL haven’t brought this dispute to an end. It is within their gift to give and I would urge every member of the public affected by this to remember that our members are affected by this.

“It’s their families and it’s their friends that don’t get to hospital appointments, that don’t get the mail.”

Background

Last week, Prospect members working in Fire and Security at Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd voted to take industrial action over pay after rejecting a 5% pay offer in October 2022, The Orkney News has reported.

In a statutory ballot that closed last week (14 February) 71% voted for strike action with 84% voting for action short of a strike on a turnout of over 80%, well above the regulatory threshold of 50%.

Prospect, which represents members across all 11 HIAL airports, is currently consulting with members on the exact form and dates for industrial action.

The union warned that strike action and action short of a strike is likely to cause significant disruption across the remote and rural communities served by the airports.

Unite the union has already announced a series of strike dates in February across the Highland and Islands airports and Prospect said it fully supports Unite members in their campaign.

Fire and Security members enable the safe operation of HIAL airports, supporting vital travel links between some of the most remote communities in Scotland.

Jane Rose, Prospect Negotiations Officer said last week: “Our members in Fire and Security are increasingly frustrated at the lack of meaningful progress to resolve this dispute. They overwhelmingly rejected an unacceptable 5% offer in October but since then neither HIAL nor Scottish Government have come back to the table with any serious effort to deliver a pay increase that properly addresses the worst cost-of-living crisis in 40 years.

“Our members don’t want to go on strike, they live in these communities, and they understand the impact action will have on families, friends, local business, and tourism. But after months of delay with no progress, they have been left with no option but to take a stand. 

“Prospect will be meeting again with HIAL in the coming days but unless they move quickly to deliver a meaningful and fair offer on pay and terms and conditions they will create a spring of continual disruption for customers and visitors.”