Troops deployed as firefighters' strike looks 'inevitable'

The British army flew in 500 troops trained in firefighting today after the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) strike looked set to go ahead tomorrow.

The extra troops will deployed around the province and will be supported by a further 500 soldiers who will act as escort protection in the event that the strike goes ahead as planned at 6pm tomorrow night.

Refused access to the Fire Service's state-of-the-art emergency equipment, the troops will be used to man the army's 32, 1950s vintage, Green Goddess fire trucks.

The FBU responded angrily to Sir George Bain's 11% pay plan revealed yesterday – which was far below the union's 40% demand. The FBU accused the review body of attempting to "wreck the process" and went on to say that there was "little hope" for a deal ahead of tomorrow's planned 48-hour strike action.

In a statement, the FBU General Secretary Andy Gilchrist further accused the government and Sir George of provoking the fire service into industrial action due the nature of the reforms set out in yesterday's interim document.

Mr Gilchrist said: "The government's so-called independent review team has attempted to wreck the progress made at the recent fire service talks and would completely wreck the UK fire service if their report were to be accepted."

He added: "It is clear to us that this report has been written, in full knowledge of the government, with the single intention of provoking a national fire service strike. There can be no other explanation for the damaging recommendations within the report."

Mr Gilchrist added that if the government and national employers pursued the Bain’s report proposals then a strike "will be inevitable".

NI FBU member Jim Quinn said that the interim document was a step backwards and was unacceptable.

"We have been offered 4% this year with strings attached. Earlier on we were offered 4% with no strings – things have regressed," he said.

Commenting on the publication of the position paper yesterday, Sir George said: “The three elements of reform, the process of implementation and pay are indivisible. The challenge is not to find ways to improve existing arrangements but to ensure that this time, reforms are carried through and a new, modern fire service emerges as a result.”

The report claims: "There will be new and exciting career paths, more suited to personal aspirations and circumstances, which enable the individual to take control of their own circumstances and develop in ways which suit them and their families.

"And, over time, as everyone develops their own careers and skills and embraces change, the higher performance which results will bring higher salaries."

(GMcG)