Firefighters

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has initiated negotiations with fire service employers to secure an above-inflation pay rise for firefighters and fire control workers in the UK. Following years of austerity-driven pay cuts, the union is urging the Labour government to prioritise funding to rebuild the fire service, starting with fair wages. The sector saw limited improvements last year, including a 4% pay increase and enhancements to on-call retainers and maternity leave. In previous years, threats of industrial action led to pay rises of 7% in 2022 and 5% in 2023. The FBU aims to capitalise on

Police officers, firefighters, and prison workers gathered outside the Ministry of Interior in Prague to demand better funding and improved working conditions. Organised by the Union of Security Forces (UBS) and the Czech Firefighters’ Union (OSH ), the protest highlighted long-standing issues, including underfunded salaries, high staff turnover, and poor recruitment and retention conditions. The unions criticised the government’s proposed salary increase of 2,500 crowns as insufficient to address decades of neglect. They are calling for all funding to be directed into salary tariffs and for

On 5 November 2024, public service workers in Poland staged a protest in front of the Social Dialogue Council in Warsaw, demanding improved pay and working conditions. The demonstration was organised by the National Secretariat of Public Services of NSZZ "Solidarność " and was attended by workers from various professions, including police, firefighters, and other public service sectors. The action highlighted growing frustration over stagnant wages and the lack of progress in addressing long-standing issues affecting workers in these fields. Protesters specifically demanded a 15% wage

After four years of national-level advocacy led by firefighters’ organizations and EPSU affiliate SDSLN , recent regulatory changes have paved the way for improvements in the working conditions of professional firefighters. Zagreb was the first city to act on these changes, with SDSLN negotiating a new collective agreement for the Zagreb Fire Brigade (JVP). The newly signed third addendum to the Collective Agreement for JVP Zagreb workers ensures higher wages for firefighters, surpassing the minimums set by recently enacted regulations governing their employment status. These negotiations

After four years of concerted efforts, Croatian professional firefighters have successfully achieved significant reforms in their pay and job classifications. The Coordination of Firefighters' Unions and Associations, including the Trade Union of State and Local Government Employees of Croatia (SDSLN), played a central role in these efforts, leading to the Croatian government enacting long-overdue regulations. One of the key achievements is the introduction of a new regulation that adds a supplement to the basic pay coefficient, directly increasing the salaries of professional firefighters