‘Crunch time’ as Fire Brigade Union threatens strike action over cuts
Firefighters at this station in Cowcaddens could be set to go on strike
The Fire Brigade Union (FBU) is calling cuts to the service “crunch time” as they consult members over strike action.
Since the establishment of a single Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in 2013, there have been 1,200 firefighter job losses, according to the union.
Colin Brown, from the Executive Council of the Fire Brigade Union, said: “[That] long-running issues have been papered over for the best part of ten years and this has consequences on the ability of the fire service to train their staff and to invest in modernising the service to protect the public.”
Previous disputes have been over pay — with the union rejecting increases of 2% and 5% — as firefighter chiefs said the offer did not keep up with inflation and was effectively a real-terms pay cut.
At the start of 2023, 88% of members voted to go on strike.
However, the union representative stated that the goalposts had moved and that the service requires “a base number of firefighters in order to perform our task safely and without that number, not just firefighters are at risk, but the people we are trying to save and protect because of the decisions firefighters have to make with a reduced crew.”
A consultation marks the first steps towards the road to industrial action and a formal strike ballot could follow.
Stuart Stevens, deputy chief officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Any permanent changes now or in the future will only be made following full engagement and consultation with all our stakeholders, including the FBU.
“Like all public services, we are operating in a challenging financial period and our modelling indicates that we will need to save between £37 and £48 million over the next three years. This follows a wider trend of increased industrial action across sectors including doctors, railway staff, and nurses.”
Some have argued it’s irresponsible for such vital workers to strike but Brown said: “[Workers organising] isn’t workers being greedy or demanding pie in the sky policy, it’s workers standing up defending their terms and conditions and being able to keep communities safe.”
The FBU will also be holding a demonstration at Holyrood on October 26.
The Scottish Government pointed out that the fire service’s funding has increased by £13.4m compared to 2022/2023.
