Retired firefighters called upon to cover for striking staff members by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service

Retired firefighters in Scotland are being urged to volunteer to provide cover while members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) undertake strike action.

Following the conclusion of a two-week consultative ballot, FBU members overwhelmingly rejected a 5% pay offer, with a turnout of 78% and a reject vote of 79%.

Bosses from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) have written to retired workers urging them to volunteer and provide cover on strike days.

The letter, dated November 11, read: “The SFRS has a legal responsibility to provide an emergency response to protect the communities of Scotland. It is therefore essential that we plan for the impact of any potential action and develop contingency arrangements to ensure we continue to keep our communities safe and protect life.

“In order to ensure the highest possible level of preparation and contingency planning for this potential industrial action we are currently reviewing all options in order that, where possible, we can maintain provision of essential services and fire cover in line with our statutory duties.

“SFRS are requesting assistance from recently retired employees who may wish to support our available uniformed officers to provide the highest possible level of cover during the proposed period of industrial action.”

Writing to retired members, the union said: “We recognise the legal responsibility SFRS have to provide an emergency response during periods of industrial action however, whilst recognising that obligation, it is vital that members recognise that the use of resilience crews during industrial action undermines the effectiveness of firefighters fight for a fair and meaningful pay rise in the midst of a cost of living crisis, and potentially significantly prolonging periods of action for serving members.”

The FBU has since condemned the SFRS for what they say is “deploying divide and rule tactics in an attempt to break any potential strike action by firefighters across Scotland”.

John McKenzie the Scottish secretary of the FBU said: “The FBU condemns in the strongest terms such divide and rule tactics being deployed, which amount to calling on retired firefighters to cross picket lines and undermine industrial action.

“Our retired members are an important part of our union and know from first hand experience that firefighter pay and conditions have been eroded by over £4000 in real terms since 2010.

“Despite these efforts the FBU knows that instead of undermining serving firefighters’ campaign for fair pay our retired members will instead join their former colleagues on picket lines in support of any future strike action they are forced to undertake.

“Instead of encouraging strike breaking, our employers should get back round the negotiating table with the FBU to negotiate a fair pay offer we can put to our members.”

SFRS said its actions were essential to prevent danger to life during the planned industrial action.

Interim deputy chief officer Stuart Stevens said: “The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has a legal responsibility to provide an emergency response to protect the communities of Scotland.

“It is essential that we plan for the impact of any potential industrial action and develop contingency arrangements to ensure we continue to keep people safe and protect life.”