Fire strike goes ahead

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

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has adopted a bullish stance in a speech to the Commons ahead of the first fire strike of 2003.

The Fire Brigades Union has confirmed a 24-hour walkout on Tuesday will go ahead, but Mr Prescott said the country was in a better position to cope with 177 red fire engines likely to be in use.

FBU leaders are understood to have met Mr Prescott on Monday ahead of their executive meeting later in the day to decide if the latest 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, and Mr Prescott again reiterated that "pay and modernisation must go hand-in-hand".

He told the Commons: "The story so far this year is one day of talks and the threat of five days of strikes.

"Further strike action will achieve nothing. It is damaging and it poses a danger to public safety."

FBU national officer Geoff Ellis said as there were "still preconditions on any talks", further discussions with employers at Acas would not go ahead, and the strike would commence as planned at 0900 GMT on Tuesday.

'Robust' plans

But earlier in the Commons, Mr Prescott was confident the strike could be weathered.

"We have robust and tested contingency plans in place to provide emergency cover.

"We now have 177 red appliances to add to the capacity of the Green Goddesses and the specialist rescue teams - that's over 90 more than during the last strike."

Mr Prescott wants assurances over public safety

Mr Prescott also said the government would be starting consultation over "a new approach to fire cover" which would "ensure fire brigades will have the right people in the right place at the right time".

The deputy prime minister told MPs FBU officials had been guilty of "exaggerated and misleading statements" over potential job losses and station closures.

Mr Prescott's tone conflicted with that of the Fire Service employers, who have been trying to strike a slightly more conciliatory note.

TALKING POINT

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The firefighters have lost the momentum they need to win through

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They 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 workforce through "natural wastage" over four years, according to BBC industrial correspondent Stephen Cape.

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.

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

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

He added that 53 out of 54 fire stations - with the final site still in negotiation - had agreed to provide cover in the event of a major incident on a strike day.

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