Fire talks continue as deadline approaches

The deadline for an imposed settlement is looming as firefighters’ leaders met today to discuss the offer from the local authorities employers.

Following an hour-long meeting with the Local Government Association in London, a delegation led by FBU leader Andy Gilchrist refused to comment to waiting reporters before they sped off to attend a meeting of the union’s executive council.

Yesterday, the Chair of the Local Government Association, Sir Jeremy Beecham said that he believed that the latest proposals formed the basis for a workable deal with the firefighters. However, it emerged that the firefighters were still being offered 16% over 30 months – a deal that they have already turned down.

The Labour government is currently rushing legislation through parliament that will confer powers on Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to allow him to impose a settlement.

On Monday, the UK’s largest union, Unison, called on the government to stop seeking to impose a settlement on firefighters.

The general secretary of Unison, David Prentis, called for the government to adopt a “responsible and mature approach” to the dispute which has dragged on for months and led to industrial action in a crucial emergency service.

Adding that the FBU had the full support of Unison, he said: ”We want to see a fair and just deal for the FBU.”

Ahead of the talks the FBU had welcomed “recent dialogue with the employer representatives” as both sides had again indicated their commitment to reaching a negotiated settlement.

Though, ominously, last week the FBU’s Executive Council agreed a strike strategy which they said was “wholly dependant on the outcome of the employers’ meeting”.

The FBU warned: “If on Tuesday there is not the basis of an acceptable negotiated settlement then we will announce the detail of further strike action.”

(SP)