End to fire strike a step closer

The fire authority said it had held a "positive meeting" with the union

An end to the fire strike in South Yorkshire has moved a step closer, with fire chiefs considering a new proposal by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU).

The proposal was put forward by the FBU at a meeting to try and resolve the dispute over shift times.

The fire authority said it "had the potential to end the current dispute".

A fifth consecutive eight-hour strike due to begin at 1600 GMT on Wednesday has been postponed until 1800 GMT while the authority considers the offer.

A fire authority spokesman said: "A very positive meeting has been held between South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue managers and senior FBU officials.

"In the meeting, the FBU put forward a proposal which has the potential to end the current dispute.

"This proposal will be considered in more detail by the authority."

The FBU invited councillors to meet at Wortley near Sheffield at midday on Wednesday before the planned strike.

The row in South Yorkshire comes after 744 employees were threatened with the sack if they did not accept new employment contracts to work 12-hour day and night shifts.

The fire authority wants crews to work the new shifts in place of the current nine-hour days and 15-hour nights.

But firefighters have argued this would present families with a range of problems, including childcare arrangements.