PAY up or we'll go on strike - that's the ultimatum firefighters have given to their employers.
At the annual Fire Brigade Union conference it was agreed that if promises made by employers were not met by the end of July, a ballot for industrial action would take place.
Dave Carruthers, union spokesman at Warrington Fire Station, said: "John Prescott said that all firefighters would be on £25,000 by July, and if the money isn't paid by then we will have the ballot."
He said that firefighters are still owed a 3.5 per cent rise, dating back to November, as well as the 4.2 per cent that should be coming in to force in July as the final part of the package, which was promised by employers if modernisation conditions were met.
A statement from Cheshire Fire Service said: "This is a great disappointment as modernisation on the ground is going well.
"We have just completed two weeks with the Audit Commission and have received positive feedback, particularly with regard to the review for the next phase of the pay award."
Steve McGuirk, Cheshire's chief fire officer, said: "We are hopeful that common sense prevails and that there is a 'no' vote to strike so that we can move on and release the next phase of the pay award."
