Fire strike likely to go ahead

Firefighters 'may not have to sign up to Bain review'

The first fire strike of 2003 looks likely to go ahead this week but hopes have been raised the deadlock in the pay dispute may be broken.

Fire Brigade Union leaders met Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott on Monday ahead of their executive meeting later in the day to decide if Tuesday's 24 hour walkout should take place.

PLANNED STRIKES

21 January: 24 hours

28 January: 48 hours

1 February: 48 hours

But there were no reports of significant progress being made in the meeting.

The Fire Service employers have reportedly made concessions by withdrawing a demand the FBU commits itself "unreservedly" to recommendations in the Bain Review into the fire service.

And employers are also believed to have withdrawn any reference to a 2% cut in the work force through "natural wastage" over four years, according to BBC industrial correspondent Stephen Cape.

Senior union sources admit it is highly unlikely enough progress will be made to avoid Tuesday's strike unless "something spectacular" happens, he said.

Further talks

But the employers and firefighters may be back around the negotiating table as early as Wednesday.

Local authority employers have stood resolute on a pay offer of 4%, rising to 11% over two years.

Mr Prescott wants assurances over public safety

The Union maintains 4,500 jobs will be axed and 150 fire stations closed if the recommendations are accepted.

However behind the scenes negotiations continue to avert the next walkout from beginning at 0900 GMT on Tuesday.

It is due to be followed by two further 48-hour stoppages on 28 January and 1 February.

Report rejected

The report into the future of modernisation by Sir George Bain, published in December, was roundly condemned by the FBU as "irrelevant" and "insulting".

Local authority employers and the government have insisted throughout the long-running pay dispute that any pay settlement must be linked to modernisation.

When the two sides met last week the employers indicated they would respond to the union's concerns over the Bain report on the fire service's future.

A spokesman for Mr Prescott said he wanted to know if union members would respond to emergencies during the strike.

Firefighters did leave picket lines where lives were in danger during a two-day national strike and a eight day walkout last year.