FIREFIGHTERS in Taunton have unanimously voted to take strike action in a bid to secure a better wage.

At an emergency meeting more than 60 Taunton firefighters met to pledge their support for industrial action.

Ballot papers have been sent to 52,000 Fire Brigades Union members, including 95 personnel based at Taunton fire station and the brigade's county headquarters at Hestercombe House, in a vote to decide whether or not to go out on strike.

Firefighters are calling for a £30,000 a year wage for full-time firefighters and emergency fire control staff, and pay parity for full-time and retained firefighters. They say industrial action is the only way to secure the pay deal.

Firefighter Andy Newland said: "Taunton firefighters showed their unanimous support for this campaign by together casting a unanimous 'yes' vote in support of a professional salary for a professional job.

"None of us want to stand outside Taunton fire station with placards but we feel we have no alternative.

"We have to fight to make our employers face up to the reality of low pay within the fire service. We just want a fair pay deal."

The result of the national ballot will be announced on October 18 and the first of a series of one-day strikes could take place on October 25 if the vote is in favour of industrial action.

For the full story, see this week's Somerset County Gazette.