Firefighters have criticised a new pay offer despite it breaching the Government’s pay cap on public sector workers.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) said the decision means the one per cent cap is “dead in the water”, but that the offer was not good enough.
Its general secretary Matt Wrack said it does not recognise extra work crews have been doing and that it fails to address their falling living standards.
“Firefighters have endured seven years of pay restraint imposed by the Government,” he said.
"Their real wages are falling and our members are struggling to make ends meet. Firefighters have, in addition, taken on many new roles that are not being recognised in their pay.
"It is sickening to hear politicians praising firefighters for the outstanding work they do every day of their working lives only to be told they have to tighten their belts as a result of economic problems caused by bankers.
He added: “despite hints at improvements, does not make clear what they will be earning in future years. This offer lacks detail and credibility."
Pay in the fire and rescue service is not covered by a pay review body but is subject to collective bargaining through a joint national council representing fire and rescue services across the UK.
FBU members will now consider the offer at local meetings and the union's executive will meet later in the month to discuss its next move.
Mr Wrack said he believed the result of the general election and the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy had affected the employers' offer.
