Firefighters could be next to go on strike in Dumfries and Galloway

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Firefighters are the next public service workers preparing for potential strike action in Dumfries and Galloway. A second ballot of Scottish Fire and Rescue staff began on Monday and will run until January 23.

If firefighters opt for industrial action, the first strike is likely to take place on February 6 or 7, according to Andrew Kenna, a local senior officer from the Dumfries and Galloway fire service.

He attended the council’s police, fire and rescue sub committee last week to discuss expected severe budget cuts from the Scottish Government and the consequences for the fire service in this region.

Mr Kenna said: “The spending review announced in May indicated that we will be allocated a flash cash funding allocation for the next four years. “Once the impact of inflation is included, this would represent a reduction in real terms. “Whilst we are currently unable to put an exact figure on the savings required, our modelling indicates that this may be in the order of between £29m and £43m by the end of the four-year period. “Next year, our modelling indicates we would have to save between £12m and £18m if we received a flat cash settlement. “We are awaiting the outcome of a budget announcement expected on December 15 by the Scottish Government, which will confirm our budget for 2023/24. “We are currently exploring all potential opportunities to reduce costs and deliver our services more efficiently. “We would be unable to make the level of savings indicated by the resource spending review without impacting on our current service delivery model.” Around 500 firefighters protested at Holyrood in October, with crowds demanding that the Scottish Government do not cut their budget which they claimed would “eviscerate”