Fire Brigades Union warns government needs to 'wake up' ahead of strike action

The general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union is warning that the government needs to "wake up to how serious the situation is." It comes as firefighters and control room staff voted overwhelmingly to strike in a dispute over pay. "That reflects the anger of our members on falling pay, falling living standards, over 12 years," Matt Wrack said. Members of the FBU backed walkouts by 88 per cent on a turnout of 73 per cent after earlier rejecting a 5 per cent pay offer. Watch more on Independent TV: https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news Click here to subscribe to The Independent: https://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-Independent About The Independent: Making Change Happen. The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. Connect with The Independent: Check out our full video catalog: https://www.youtube.com/c/theindependent/videos Videos, daily editorial and more: http://www.theindy.com Click here to get the best of The Independent daily: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Like The Independent on Facebook: https://www.fb.com/TheIndependentOnline Follow The Independent on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Independent Follow The Independent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.independent Download the iOS & Android app: https://www.independent.co.uk/subscribe/app Help to support truly independent journalism. Every dollar you contribute will directly fund additional special reports and investigations from a free-thinking, award-winning newsroom you can trust - https://www.independent.co.uk/donations Subscribe to Independent Premium for exclusive content & live events: https://bit.ly/2MiOONB