Firefighters will start voting on strike in the latest industrial dispute over below-inflation pay offers.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said the “historic ballot” comes after its members rejected a 5% increase to their wages.
Last week, the FBU warned it would formally issue notice of ballot if “a substantial pay increase that takes into account the current level of inflation and the cost of living crisis” was not received by Monday.
The FBU said no such offer has been received.
The result of the ballot is expected at the end of January.
Matt Wrack, the Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said: “This is an historic ballot for firefighters and control staff. We are rarely driven to these lengths.
“Nobody wants to be in this position after years of derisory pay increases and a pay offer that is well below inflation firefighters’ and control staff’s living standards are in peril.”
Mr Wrack said firefighters are using foodbanks and “we know that because FBU officials…
