Fire union says strike is no bluff
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Firefighters yesterday warned strike action would start this week unless a "genuine and significant" pay offer was made by 9am on Wednesday.
The Fire Brigades Union has threatened eight days of industrial action unless a "serious" response is made to its demand for a 40 per cent pay rise, which would take firefighters' salaries to £30,000.
Talks ended in deadlock last Thursday amid union suggestions that the employers did not appreciate the gravity of the situation and with the suspicion in Whitehall that talk of a strike was bluff.
A union source said: "There is no question of this being a bluff because we have a nine to one vote in favour of strike action on an 83 per cent turn-out."The employers' side is understood to feel it will have enough to offer from the Bain review to keep the union talking.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments