Firefighters stage wildcat action

Picket lines could return if agreement is not reached

Fire crews from across Scotland have staged unofficial industrial action over a pay deal which was intended to end the fire service dispute.

The work to rule follows claims that employers failed to honour a wages agreement.

Fire stations in Strathclyde, Grampian, Central, Lothian and Borders and Fife have refused to do anything other than answer 999 calls.

Anger has been mounting since it emerged they would not receive the full 7% pay rise in November.

Employers are offering an initial 3.5% increase, with a further 3.5% rise backdated to 7 November, on condition that changes being made in the fire service are completed.

It would appear at this moment in time that 50% of the brigades in Scotland and 50% of members are on 999 calls only Roddy Robertson Scottish FBU

The unofficial action started last night in the south east of England and has gradually spread to other parts of the UK.

The chairman of the Scottish Fire Brigades Union (FBU), Roddy Robertson, said as many as half of firefighters north of the border had downed tools in support and will only answer 999 calls.

Mr Robertson told BBC Radio 4's World at One: "It would appear at this moment in time that 50% of the brigades in Scotland and 50% of members are on 999 calls only.

"It was totally spontaneous by the membership. We heard a number of brigades in England yesterday took part in a 999 calls-only protest and we believe this has spread to Scotland.

UNOFFICIAL ACTION Strathclyde Grampian Fife Central Lothian and Borders Norfolk Derbyshire Wiltshire Nottinghamshire Humberside South Yorkshire

"Obviously, with the law as it stands at the moment, it is impossible for any trade union official to condone unofficial industrial action.

"But we can understand fully the anger and frustration of the membership and why they've got into the position they are in of having to make a protest. They feel shabbily treated by the government and by the employers.

"The latest vindictive attack from employers has been the last straw."

The dispute flared as fire services across the country were preparing for bonfire night, one of the busiest days of the year for brigades.

The unions have known all along that 7% would be released only when negotiations had been satisfactorily completed Pat Watters Cosla

The president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), Pat Watters, said he did not know what lay behind such an extreme reaction.

"The employers have at no time reneged on the agreement and have been totally up front with the union on what had to be achieved in order for pay increases to be released.

"The unions have known all along that 7% would be released only when negotiations had been satisfactorily completed and that the benefits of the changes were being delivered and verified."

The long-running pay dispute appeared to have been resolved in June, after months of strikes in which the Army used green goddess vehicles to provide cover.

Under the agreement, 4% was paid immediately, back-dated to last November, with 7% due this month, followed by a final rise of 4.2% next summer, lifting a firefighter's pay to £25,000.

The Scottish Socialist Party said it is backing the firefighters in their unofficial industrial action.

SSP leader Tommy Sheridan has tabled a motion in the Scottish Parliament calling on the Executive to intervene in the dispute.

Mr Sheridan claims fire crews have been "shafted" by their employers' failure to deliver a promised pay rise and is urging ministers to make sure the firefighters get their money.