Firefighters set to join public service strikes

U.K.

Members of the FBU firefighters’ union have voted overwhelming for strike action and the union has given the government 10 days to respond before setting any strike dates. This means firefighters will join the widespread actions across the UK involving central government workers, nurses and ambulance staff along with education and rail workers. The PCS civil service union organised a national strike on 1 February and further targeted action is planned for later in the month. The TUC confederation also organised protests around the country on 1 February in protest at the government plans for more restrictions on strike action. The next strike action by the RCN nursing union will be on 6-7 February while unions (GMB, Unite, UNISON) representing ambulance staff are planning several days of strikes in February and March. There is separate industrial action in the health service including in Northern Ireland. Further strike action is also planned in the Environment Agency with UNISON now joined by members of the Prospect trade union.

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