Firefighters across the UK have voted for strike action in a row over pay.

The Fire Brigades Union said that, while it had a mandate to take its members out on strike, it would not announce any dates until after it meets employers.

More than 80% of members who voted backed strike action across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland when they were balloted last month.

The government said the threat of strikes would be disappointing and concerning for the public.

The FBU rejected a 5% pay offer, arguing that it would be a real-terms pay cut.

The union said it would delay announcing any strike dates until after it had met fire service employers - the brigades in English local authority areas, the regional fire services in Wales and the national organisations in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Hopes for new offer

That meeting is scheduled for February 8, where the FBU said it hoped to receive a revised pay offer.

The union says that, since 2010, its members have experienced a 12% drop in real-terms earnings.

It also says that, in the same period, about one in five firefighter jobs have been cut.

Of the 73% of union members who voted, 88% of staff voted to take action.

The earliest likely date for any action would be February 23.

If the strike goes ahead, it will be the first nationwide walkout over pay in 20 years.

'Wake up'

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the FBU, said the government "need to wake up and wise up to the level of anger among their employees about falling real pay in the fire service".

He told the BBC: "They clearly have misjudged the mood...and now they best move. Otherwise we'll be setting strike dates."

In response, Downing Street said the government would urge the FBU to "reconsider and keep negotiating".

The prime minister's official spokesman said the government was working to "mitigate the possible risks that (strike action) poses".

The FBU said it has a negotiated agreement in place so that striking firefighters will respond to major incidents, with the agreements made between services locally.

Currently, a trainee firefighter in London can earn a salary of £28,730, including London weighting. Once they are qualified, their salary can increase to £37,032.

Wages

Outside London, trainee firefighters earn £24,191 rising to £32,244 after qualification.

The FBU is the latest union to vote to take action over pay offers that do not match the rising cost of living.

  • MPs have backed plans aimed at enforcing minimum service levels for some sectors during strikes.

    Under the bill, some employees, including in the rail industry and emergency services, would be required to work during industrial action - and could be sacked if they refuse.

    The BBC
    says the bill passed by 315 votes to 246, but will face further scrutiny in the House of Lords before it becomes law.

    Labour said the proposals ripped up protections against unfair dismissal.

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