Frantic talks to avert summer fire strikes

Last updated at 15:22 19 May 2004


Frantic moves to avert a fresh firefighters strike this summer are being mounted today after a wave of unofficial industrial action over the suspension of crews for refusing to operate anti-terrorist equipment.

The 36 suspensions at three stations in Greater Manchester sparked sympathy action by firefighters across the country.

The Fire Brigades Union claimed that virtually every brigade was hit by some form of action.

Employers warned that the action was illegal and was putting lives at risk as they urged the FBU to resume negotiations.

The union accused managers of "bully boy tactics" as it sent one of its most senior officers to Manchester to try to break the deadlock.

The union's executive was also meeting to decide its next move in a rapidly escalating row which led to hundreds of firefighters across the country only answering 999 calls.

Brigades affected included the West Midlands, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Norfolk, Shropshire and Avon. Union members in other areas were holding meetings to decide whether to support the sympathy action.

The dispute flared last night after firefighters in Salford were sent home for refusing to operate special anti-terrorist equipment in protest at the failure to finalise the deal which ended the long-running national strike.

The union has accused employers of introducing last-minute changes to the deal, which has held up payment of a 3.5% rise, backdated to last November.

Employers denied the charge and said the union had walked away from talks to resolve a row over stand down time, when firefighters remain on duty during the night but do not carry out training or inspections.

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