Firefighters and fire control staff start voting on Monday on whether to accept a 5% pay offer. The Fire Brigades Union is recommending that its members reject the offer, saying it represents a "significant" real-terms pay cut.
General secretary Matt Wrack said: "We are a democratic union led by our members. It is firefighters and control staff who will decide any action that the union takes on pay.
"Firefighters have been treated appallingly by their employers, and by the Government over the last decade. Pay is down by nearly £4,000 in real terms and that is why the union’s executive council is recommending that members reject this latest offer.
"Our members worked throughout the pandemic to help protect their communities. They delivered food, moved the bodies of the dead, and delivered other vital extra duties.
"To try and thank them with a massive real-terms pay cut is absolutely disgusting. Our members have had enough."
Online and postal ballots are being sent out on Monday, with a closing date of November 14.
