Four-day strike for firefighters

Fire service managers are being retrained to provide cover

Firefighters on Merseyside are to go on strike for four days in protest at 120 planned job losses.

Members of the Fire Brigades' Union (FBU) will walk out on 31 August and return to work on 4 September.

The decision follows a ballot by the FBU over plans by the Merseyside Fire Authority to cut one in 10 posts.

Former firefighters, now managers with the brigade, are being retrained so they can provide contingency cover over the four days.

Previous disputes have been covered by soldiers using Green Goddess fire engines, but the army is stretched because of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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FBU spokesman Kevin Brown said: "A total of 71% of the 890 members who returned their ballot papers voted for strike action so we have decided on a four-day walk out at the end of August."

According to the FBU, Merseyside Fire Service wants to make £3m of savings through cutbacks which include the 120 job losses but the fire authority claims proposals are in their early stages and will result in the brigade having more resources available to them, not less.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority said in a statement it was "disappointed at the FBU disregard for public safety, and their irresponsible decision to use public safety as a bartering tool".

Tony Newman, chair of the authority, said: "Over the past five years Merseyside Fire Service has led the way in modernisation and community fire safety.

"We want to continue to do this and strengthen our position as the highest performing fire service in the country.

"The proposals we have put forward are currently being consulted on but they offer an opportunity for firefighters to work differently and earn significantly more money.

"It would result in us having more resources available not fewer, they would just be staffed differently. These would be voluntary opportunities and are not being forced on anyone."