Military personnel from the Royal Air Force are being given a crash course in how to fight fires in preparation for any strike action by fire crews across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
With the Fire Brigades Union voting to walk out in a row over pay, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has been preparing to ensure that some level of fire cover is maintained across the region.
However, it has been announced today that the strike action has been postponed amid a higher pay offer. But that’s not to mean strikes won’t still go ahead eventually.
Fire and Rescue Service employers have put forward a revised offer. The offer is for 7% on nationally negotiated rates and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) backdated to 1st July 2022, and then another 5% from 1st July 2023.
Should strike action go ahead, HIWFRS has made the decision to keep pumps on the run by the utilisation of both military personnel and non-FBU firefighters who are not striking. Elsewhere in the country, such as in London, Securitas has been drafted in to supply fire crews to keep residents and property safe.
Other training carried out at Ryde Learning and Development Centre has been put aside to prioritise the training of military personnel.
In a statement issued to Island Echo, a spokesperson for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service has said:
“We’ve been carrying out some training for military personnel as part of our planning for potential industrial action. This is because the Fire Authority has a statutory duty to provide a fire and rescue service to the communities of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and we must plan to ensure there are sufficient resources in place to provide adequate fire cover during periods of industrial action.
Article continues below this advertisement ”The FBU has postponed the announcement of any strike dates while its members consider the revised national pay offer”.
Chief Fire Officer Neil Odin has said:
“Our firefighters and Control room teams work tirelessly in difficult, demanding, circumstances and I truly believe the valuable role they play deserves to be championed.
“Whilst we recognise our staff have the right to take industrial action, I hope a way forward has been found to avoid that following the revised pay offer that will now be put to FBU members.
“Whatever the outcome, we are committed to supporting our colleagues and communities, and will continue to plan, so that we are best prepared in the event of any future industrial action.”
As someone who is ex RAF, I hope they were accomodated in the best hotel that the IOW can offer.
Heard The Grand in Sandown is nice this time of year, nice sea views!
During the 1980s I was a retained fireman in Ventnor and joined the RFU – the Retained Fire-fighters Union. One of the things that persuaded me to join, rather than to join the FBU was the fact that they promised to never strike. Is this still the case, I wonder?
But still took the pay rises that the FBU negotiated no doubt, I can’t find the RFU on the TUC website, probably because they aren’t a recognised union & not invited to any negotiations with employers, not really worth the paper it’s written on is it?
RFU members wouldn’t be able to strike or in-fact call for any form of industrial action because they aren’t recognised as a Trade Union, so any ballot conducted if members would be pointless, therefore any employer can legally impose any changes they wish to its members without consultation, more of a committee rather than a proper union.
Interestingly , Securitas Fire fighters will be paid £1.000 per 24 hour shift after they have received a two week training course to be a firefighter . (Well worth the money to break the strike ???)
Now the fire service putting lives at risk
Or the Government?, depends on which narrative suits your agenda I suppose
I think you’ll agree that it’s the public and natural causes putting lives at risk.
Firefighters’ job is to minimise the risks and consequences.
Fire service goes on strike,,,, no one notices, they barely leave the station when on duty. all that will happen is they will save a load of teabags.
Uh-oh poor old Reg failed the entrants exam
Bitter and twisted much?
you’d notice if your house was on fire or if you needed chopping out of your car!!! Don’t underestimate the work that FRS do.
Who’s training them? Surely the RAF are bringing their own instructors & not putting FBU members in a difficult position?
Let’s hope they pay our military that are taking over the same rate as fire service are on now because its a bigger salary than they get for defending our country
more in-fact with HM Forces, alongside non contributory pension, tax free earnings when abroad, free dentistry, free health care, free travel, free bed & board, 6 weeks paid leave a year, a pretty good gig I’d say!
Roger failed maths at school
Oh no, I fell over and grazed my knee, which resulted in a scab as it healed
Apparently, a trainee firefighter starts on between £24,000 and £28,000 per annum depending on where they are based.
Wages can go up to £60,000 – £70,000 per annum depending on promotion, location etc.
Simply reporting that workers have been offered a 7% pay rise means very little without the context of their current wage.
I’m not saying the offer or the current wages are good or bad, just that when reporting on these matters you should give the whole picture, not just one part of it.