STATEMENT: Fire Brigades Union ballot result
Following a ballot by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) over a nationwide pay dispute, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) has been informed that members of the FBU, who are Firefighters and Control staff, have voted to take industrial action. The FBU have not yet announced any dates of industrial action but have allowed 10 days (up to 9th February) for further negotiations with the National Employers.
The Service encourages the National Employers and the FBU to seek a resolution to this dispute, to avoid the need for strike action. However, if there are nationwide strikes, we will, despite extremely limited resources, continue to minimise the risk to our communities, throughout industrial action. Auxiliary Firefighters and assistance from military personnel will be deployed to locations around South Wales and the Service will need to prioritise responding to incidents where there is a risk to life. Auxiliary Control staff will be called on to answer emergency phone calls at our Joint Fire Control and dispatch operational resources. A webpage will be established ahead of any strike, with advice for our communities on taking extra care before and during any industrial action. The public can help us in the event of a strike by following our safety advice and only calling 999 in a risk to life emergency.