NI firefighters answer only emergency calls

Firefighters in Northern Ireland look likely to be balloted as a series of 'wildcat strikes' in support of colleagues suspended in the UK has spread to the province.

Firefighters in many regions have declared that they will only be answering emergency call-outs in support of their suspended colleagues.

Today, Fire Brigades Union leaders, who are meeting to discuss the situation, will decide whether to hold a ballot of union members in the Greater Manchester area over possible strike action.

As unofficial strike action spreads firefighters have expressed anger that the 3.5% pay deal agreed in November after a series of strikes last year has still not found its way into their pay packets. But what brought matters to a head this week was the suspension of crews in Greater Manchester after they had refused to operate new equipment.

Northern Ireland Fire Authority Chairman Bill Gillespie expressed disappointment that unofficial action had been taken, but he confirmed that emergency calls were still being answered.

(SP)