FIREFIGHTERS in And-over walked out as part of a national strike this week after their union rejected the 11 per cent pay offer over two years recommended by an independent review.
Some 11 whole time firefighters went on strike, starting on Wednesday at 6pm and due to return today also at 6pm. The FBU is sticking to its claim for a 40 per cent rise.
In rejecting the 11 per cent as well as the Bain Review modernisation recommendations, the Fire Brigades Union described the offer as 'derisory'.
Local authority employers endorsed the Bain Review's vision for an improved service and an 11.3 per cent overall increase over two years.
But a spokesman at Andover Fire Station said: "The fire service in Andover doesn't want to go on strike, but we almost feel that we've been forced into it. We've read the Bain Review and a lot of the things it talks about we already do. How can we modernise when we are already doing it?"
Three other eight-day strikes are planned before Christmas.
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