FIREFIGHTERS across Hampshire could go on strike over a rejected pay offer.

The Fire Brigades Union said the move to ballot members comes as they have been treated with "utter contempt by our employers and by central government".

Mark Chapman, Regional Secretary, at the Hampshire branch of the Fire Brigades Union, said the union is preparing to ballot soon.

It comes as firefighters were offered a two per cent pay increase - an offer rejected by the FBU.

A letter from general secretary Matt Wrack said there "is no other option than to now put in place preparations for a ballot of members for strike action to fight for fair pay".

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Speaking to the Echo, Mr Chapman said: "We are balloting are members who have faced over a decade of pay suppression. "Firefighters have endured successive years of pay caps, cuts and pay restraint.

"Fire Service employers insultingly delivered a 2 per cent pay offer to firefighters.

"This is at least eight per cent below inflation as it currently stands.

"In the face of a cost of living crisis firefighters cannot and will not accept yet another sub-inflation pay offer.

"Firefighters feel like they have been backed into a corner where their only option now is to ballot to strike.

"There is still time for the employers to improve their offer, but over a month has passed since firefighters delivered a solid rejection and the employers sit silent.

"Enough is enough and firefighters are now preparing to fight for fair pay."

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