Government needs to 'wake up to how serious the situation is' as firefighters vote to strike, says FBU general secretary

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, says he hopes the Government has woken up to how serious the situation is after firefighters and control room staff voted overwhelmingly to strike in a dispute over pay. Members of the FBU backed walkouts by 88% on a turnout of 73% after earlier rejecting a 5% pay offer. The union said it was giving the Government and employers 10 days to make an improved offer before deciding its next move. If they go ahead, the strikes will be the first nationwide fire walkouts over pay since 2003.