UK Fire Employers have attacked the decision of the Fire Brigades Union to press ahead with a strike today, saying it comes when progress was being made in negotiations.

More than 50,000 firefighters across the UK will walk off the job at 9am, with about 20,000 armed forces personnel, equipped with aging Green Goddess fire engines, deployed as emergency cover.

Firefighters are demanding a 40 per cent pay rise, but their employers are offering 11 per cent and say the fire services must agree to modernisation before significant pay rises are offered.

Sir Jeremy Beecham, of the Local Government Authority, said the fire employers deplored the latest strike.

"This demonstrates that the Union Executive is not serious about seeking a negotiated settlement of the dispute or willing to engage with the reform agenda."

The employers wanted the service to become more concerned with preventing accidents and providing emergency care where and when the risk is greatest, he said.

The FBU said there was little point in negotiating with their employers when they insisted on complete modernization before offering any significant pay increase.

Today's strike is for 24 hours from 9am, and is due to be followed by more industrial action on the weekend.

January 28, 2003 09:00