Firefighters set to join winter of strikes as union snubs 5 per cent pay rise

FIREFIGHTERS last night looked set to join a winter of strikes — as rail workers voted for walkouts until summer.

The Fire Brigades Union snubbed a five per cent rise.

PA

Firefighters are set to join a winter of strikes as union snubs 5 per cent pay rise[/caption]

Members will now be balloted on whether to take action along with nurses, bus drivers, posties, passport staff, Border Force guards and job centre officials.

It would be firefighters’ first national pay strike since 2003.

General Secretary Matt Wrack said: “Our members worked through the pandemic to help protect their communities, taking on extra duties to do so.

“A further real-terms pay cut is an absolutely disgusting way to thank them.”

Meanwhile militant RMT chiefs won a fresh mandate to trigger industrial action for six months.

Mick Lynch vowed to continue until Network Rail gives in on pay and conditions.

But Steve Montgomery, chairman of the Rail Delivery Group, said “passengers will be dismayed”.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said the “very future of the industry” depends on union bosses working with employers — “not against them”.