BBC NEWS | UK | Firefighters' dispute

Britain continues to face strike action by firefighters. With no sign of an early end to the industrial action, the army has been drafted in to provide emergency cover. BBC News Online follows the course of the dispute.

24 November: Brown - Deal 'unaffordable'

Armed forces firefighters tackle a blaze
The Armed Forces say it is coping well

Chancellor Gordon Brown says a 16% pay rise, without savings from new working practices, would cost Britain more than £500m. His comments contrasted with a more conciliatory approach from John Prescott, who held out the prospect of a 16% rise over three years.

The BBC's Louise Bevan reports

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott

FBU leader Andy Gilchrist

23 November: Ministers push for new deal

Army fire crews have had a busy 24 hours

Ministers push for a return to the negotiating table with a 16% deal that is properly costed and linked to modernisation. Meanwhile, the striking firefighters receive widespread union backing.

The BBC's Jonathan Beale reports

22 November: Eight day stoppage begins

John Prescott

An eight-day strike begins after the failure of last minute talks. A bitter row erupts between the FBU and the government over who was to blame for the collapse of pay talks and the army faces its first major firefighting test.

The BBC's Rory Cellan-Jones reports

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott

The BBC's Robert Hall on the first major fire during the strike

21 November: Fire union rejects 'unacceptable' offer

Firefighters strike outside their station
Firefighters look set to carry out their strike

The two sides in the fire dispute disagree over the size of the latest pay offer, with an eight-day strike only hours away. Talks stalled after the union said it had been made an offer of 4% with any further increase linked to modernisation.

The BBC's Rory Cellan-Jones reports

20 November: New offer to end strikes

A fireman goes to work
Firemen may not have to carry out their eight day strike

The BBC discovers that a 16% pay rise for firefighters could finally be offered to union officials during strike talks. The offer is expected to be conditional on a commitment by the FBU to "meaningful discussions for change".

The BBC's Paul Mason reports

18 November: Chancellor attacks firefighters' tactics

Chancellor Gordon Brown
Mr Brown attacked the timing of the pay claim

Chancellor Gordon Brown accuses the firefighters of seeking an excessive claim in a time of economic uncertainty. Mr Brown says it is "the wrong time, exactly the wrong claim, pursuing the wrong methods".

The BBC's Rory Cellan-Jones reports

16 November: Union urges settlement

A picket line in West Belfast
Firefighters are planning a new strike for next week

The firefighters' union calls on the government to settle their dispute with a realistic pay offer, before the next planned strike. "It is not too late to rescue this dispute," said Fire Brigades Union leader Andy Gilchrist.

Hywel Jones reports

15 November: Troops 'can cross pickets'

Fire Brigade Union leader Andy Gilchrist
Union leader Andy Gilchrist

Fire Union chief Andy Gilchrist says his members will not try to stop troops if they cross picket lines in any future walkout. Home Office Minister, Lord Falconer, said earlier that soldiers may need access to modern machines.

Steve Kingstone reports

Fire Brigade Union leader Andy Gilchrist

14 November: Prescott pledges to protect public

Green Goddess on call

The deputy prime minister hints that troops could be ordered to cross fire strike picket lines in order to use modern fire engines, after the first 24 hours of the strike. Green Goddesses are between 46 and 49-years-old.

Rory Cellan-Jones strike round up

John Prescott's statement

The BBC's Samantha Simmonds on the first night's chaos

13 November: The strike begins

Army crews attend a fire

The first national firefighters' strike for 25 years has begun, with troops attending hundreds of call-outs within hours. Across the country, firefighters emerged from their stations at 1800 GMT to begin a 48-hour picket.

The BBC's Rory Cellan-Jones

12 November: Last ditch talks fail

Green Goddess
The army will provide emergency cover

The Fire Brigades Union leader Andy Gilchrist accuses the government of provoking the strike after last ditch talks break down with no new pay offer on the table.

The BBC's Ben Brown

11 November: "Insulting" offer rejected

Britain has more than 50, 000 firefighters

The union rejects the findings of an independent pay review. The Bain report recommends an 11% pay increase over two years linked to big changes in working practice.

The BBC's Rebecca Pike

18 October: Firefighters' vote for action

Firefighters want a 40% increase

Firefighters vote nine to one in favour of industrial action in support of their pay claim. The Fire Brigades Union is pressing for a 40% increase which would put fully qualified staff on about £30,000 a year.

The BBC's Rory Cellan-Jones