All we want is a fair wage, say firefighters

The ballot came after the union's bid for a pay increase to 30,000 from 21,531 a year, which they are currently on, was rejected.

If members vote in favour of industrial action, a decision will be taken next Thursday or Friday and the earliest date for a strike would be October 25 - two weeks today.

"We just want a fair wage." That is the message of firefighters at Bexhill Station .

The firefighters, who dealt with over 900 calls last year, are keen to stress that they are not looking for a 40 per cent raise, which they think makes them look greedy, they want 30,000. And they would be willing to compromise.

Station union representative Mark Mitchell said: "You would be hard pushed to find a firefighter who wants to strike.

"But the Government have known since May that we were going to ask for a wage rise. They all feel they have been pushed into this and that they are being taken for granted."

Leading firefighter Dave Smith said: "The wage agreement hasn't changed since the previous strike. When we went on strike before, we were earning roughly the same as police constables. Now, in some cases, we get around 7,000 less."

Mr Mitchell explained. "Firefighters have now been placed in a category called associate technical professional which is classed as 30,000 salary. That is where that figure came from.

"And the job has certainly become a lot more skilled over the years. There is new technology and equipment and more to learn with cutting and rope gear. Fire safety, first aid and health and safety are all huge parts of being a firefighter now."

Firefighters get 21,531 after five years which rises to 22,400 once they have been working 15 years. That remains the same until they retire.

"We just want comparative pay to other jobs," said firefighter Gary Alexander.

"They have known for a long time that this was coming."

According to reports, East Sussex as a whole would get only eight Green Goddesses to replace pumps and special appliances, with Hastings getting just two. These would be responsible for a huge area.

The risk to lives would be even greater if a firefighters' strike clashes with industrial action by ambulance crews.

Unions representing ambulance drivers and paramedics are calling for a five per cent pay rise and plan to ballot members on possible action in the next few weeks.