Bolton Firefighters and control room staff will go on strike in the coming weeks after voting to strike in a dispute over pay.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) backed walkouts by 88 percent on a huge turnout of 73 percent after earlier rejecting a 5 percent pay offer.

The union said it was giving the Government and employers 10 days to make an improved offer before continuing with the strike.

The strikes will be the first nationwide fire strikes over pay since 2003.

Bolton stations include Farnworth, Bolton Central, Bolton North, Horwich and Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service.

FBU members rejected a below-inflation five per cent pay offer last November.

FBU Manchester recently spoke out about the vote, saying: “Firefighters aren't backing down until we get a national pay offer that's acceptable for all firefighters and fire control staff.”

The union said the vote on industrial action follows more than a decade of real-terms pay cuts.

General secretary Matt Wrack said: “Firefighters across the UK have spoken. The Fire Brigades Union has a decisive mandate for strike action.

“This is an overwhelming vote for strike action against an offer which would mean further significant cuts to real-terms wages for firefighters and control room staff.

“They have already lost at least 12 per cent of the value of their pay since 2010.

“This is an absolute last resort for our members. The responsibility for any disruption to services lies squarely with fire service employers and government ministers.

“Rishi Sunak’s Government has refused to make funding available for a decent pay offer to firefighters and control staff.”

Firefighters went on strike over pensions almost a decade ago and there was a lengthy strike over pay almost 20 years ago.

Mr Wrack said: “Firefighters were among Britain’s Covid heroes who kept frontline services going during the pandemic. The Prime Minister has badly misjudged the public mood by imposing pay cuts on key workers.

“Our members risk their health and safety, and sometimes their lives, round the clock to keep people safe and serve their communities.

“However, with inflation and energy bills rocketing, they are now increasingly struggling to pay the bills or to afford the basics.

READ MORE:

Thousands on Universal Credit won't get DWP cost of living payment

Bolton NHS Trust hands out breakfast packs as cost of living rises

Northern trains set for more strikes as Bolton commuters warned

“The Government and the employers have the power to stop strikes from happening by making a credible offer that can resolve this dispute. The ball is in their court.

“We have delayed calling strikes to allow the employers to meet us and to make a new offer. I hope they take that opportunity.

“Otherwise, in the coming weeks, we intend to announce a series of strike dates and industrial action.”