Firefighters order 24-hour strike

Firefighters leaders have ordered a 24-hour strike over the bitter fire service pay dispute.

The strike could coincide with military action in Iraq.

The executive of the Fire Brigades Union called for a 24 hour walkout on March 20 after rejecting a "final" offer of 16% over three years, linked to changes in working practices.

The new strike is expected to be endorsed at a recalled national conference of the FBU in Brighton next week.

The announcement sets the union on a fresh collision course with the Government, which had urged acceptance of the "generous" deal.

Local government minister Nick Raynsford said he could not believe that any "reasonable person" would refuse the offer at such a "sensitive time".

Military resources will be stretched during any conflict in Iraq, making it difficult to commit thousands of troops to provide emergency cover for striking firefighters.

Striking during a military conflict could risk a public and political backlash, although the union maintained it still had public support for its demand for a near 40% pay rise to take salaries to £30,000.

The FBU had warned there would have to be "significant" changes to the offer to make any progress in the dispute.

But local authority employers made clear that no new offer or document would be given to the FBU today.

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