The Government notes the statement by protesting members of the GFRS, issued independently and outside the formal structures of their own union, Unite.

This fragmented approach is telling of the nature of the GFRS claim, and is reflective of the lack of any reasonable basis for their demands.

That is further evidenced by their complete misrepresentation of their conversations with Government Industrial Relations, who have never suggested the idea of a night shift claim by GFRS.

The Government maintains that it will not entertain these unjustifiable claims and will not be swayed by the deliberately antagonistic conduct of GFRS members during their protests.

Furthermore, the Government expresses its disappointment at the continued conduct of these individuals, the only outcome of which is to cause a significant public disturbance and nuisance over and above what can reasonably constitute peaceful protest.

Their behaviour in public spaces has now reached a point where it borders on the harassment of fellow public servants, workers in the area, and tourists visiting our city.

This kind of approach will not earn them any sympathy from the public who pay their very fair and generous wages.

In this respect, the Government would remind the public that the average gross salary of the firefighters protesting is £69,483.17 for wholetime firefighting roles (including management this was previously set at £70,061.07).

In the United Kingdom, the equivalent average, further to the Local Government Firefighters’ Workforce Survey 2025, on gross annual pay for wholetime firefighting roles was £44,760.00.

This includes the Continuing Professional Development allowance of firefighters in Gibraltar which stands at £6,295 after their 5th year of employment, whilst in the United Kingdom it is £1,106.64, of which only 59% of firefighters are in receipt of it.

The take home power of firefighters in Gibraltar is therefore already fair, reasonable and generous for the important job that they do very well.

The salaries paid to each firefighter is set out, once again, in the attached spreadsheet.

The Government is happy to talk to GFRS firefighters about issues they may have, but it will not entertain this unmeritorious claim which their union has had to apologise for basing on an unfair comparison with equally professional firefighters of the AFRS.