Union warns over fire dispute

Both sides have stood their ground

The leader of Britain's biggest union has warned that relations between the government and the union movement could sour if a pay settlement is imposed on the firefighters.

Unison leader Dave Prentis said the two sides in the long running dispute should be allowed to talk - without the interference of the government.

Mr Prentis accused ministers of making it harder for the union and the employers to resolve their differences.

He made the comments as employers prepare to consider new proposals from the Fire Brigades Union aimed at ending the dispute.

Strikes

FBU leaders warned last week that they would announce further strikes if their pay dispute was not resolved by Tuesday.

They said the union's executive had agreed a "strike strategy" which was wholly dependant on the outcome of an employers' meeting next Monday.

The union executive is due to meet the employers on Tuesday and if it is unhappy with the offer, more strike dates could be announced then.

A new survey by the Fire Brigade's Union suggests one in three members of the public would back an imposed deal and fewer than one in five think a pay deal should be funded by job cuts.