Firefighters Snub 2% Pay Rise Offer Over Unclear Funding and Extra Duties
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has thrown a spanner in the works by rejecting the latest 2% pay rise offer from national fire and rescue employers. Their hitch? The raise came with strings attached — including ongoing trials of emergency medical responding (EMR) and new, unconfirmed duties for firefighters.
EMR Trials Cut Short
The controversial EMR trials, which saw firefighters tasked with medical response roles, will now end on 18 September. The Government has never confirmed how these trials were funded, leaving uncertainty hanging over the future of firefighters’ extra responsibilities.
Members Say No to Vague Offer
The union cites a lack of clarity, shaky funding plans, and worries about the new work areas being trialed. Firefighters clearly aren’t buying the offer, fearing that the pay rise may come at the cost of frontline services and jobs.
Union Boss Slams Government Pay Policy
“Firefighters, along with all other public sector workers, have suffered hugely as a result of the Government’s pay policy,” said FBU general secretary Matt Wrack. “The offer fails to clearly address the pain our members have experienced as a result of years of falling real wages.”
“We are deeply concerned that the lack of detail around funding could mean pay rises come through cuts to frontline services and job losses – that’s simply unacceptable.”
“The failure of several fire and rescue services to tackle operational, safety, training and welfare issues raised by firefighters in the trials is deeply worrying.”
