South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue boss Chris Kirby: risk of strike action reduced after proposed 7% wage increase offered to fire brigades Union members

SOUTH Yorkshire Fire & Rescue boss Chris Kirby says the risk of strike action is “much reduced” following an increased pay offer.

A seven per cent wage rise is under consideration by the Fire Brigades Union, which will put the option to its members.

Mr Kirby, the region’s chief fire officer, said the service’s business continuity planning teams would continue planning for the potential for industrial action “until we know for sure that the dispute has ended.”

But he added: “The latest information that is emerging now is it there is a much reduced risk that that is likely to be realised, but it won’t stop us planning for that eventuality.”

The union has said it will have an “honest and sober” discussion of the offer, which is backdated to last summer and includes another five per cent rise from July 2023.