Firefighters boycott visits by Whitehall pay inquiry

Firefighters, who are planning national strikes, are boycotting visits to fire stations by the government-appointed inquiry into pay and modernisation in the service. At fire stations in London and Essex, members of the Fire Brigades Union(FBU) refused to speak to Professor Sir George Bain, who was appointed chairman of the review by the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott.

At Handsworth, in the West Midlands, firefighters walked out in protest at a visit by Tony Young, a former president of the Trades Union Congress and Michael Lyons, a former chairman of Birmingham City Council, who are the other members of the inquiry.

The FBU is refusing to participate in the review, but has failed to persuade Mr Young, who was general secretary of the Communication Workers' Union, to follow suit.

Andy Gilchrist, general secretary of the FBU, said the review was "pointless" without in-depth discussions with firefighters. He added: "We need to sit down with local authorities and negotiate. This review is not independent. It is a complete sham and it will not provide a solution to the problem."

The union has rejected a 4 per cent increase and is demanding 40 per cent, putting firefighters on a salary of £30,000 a year. Mr Gilchrist said there had been huge changes to his members' jobs over the past 25 years and there should be an immediate compensatory increase before further reforms were contemplated.

A spokesman for Sir George said members of the inquiry had been able to talk to firefighters despite the official boycott by the FBU. The inquiry had received about 30 e-mails from people identifying themselves as firefighters who were keen to make a contribution to the review.

The inquiry is scheduled to finish collecting evidence next Friday, the same day the FBU is expecting to announce an overwhelming vote in favour of strikes, which could begin seven days later.

Sir George's report is to be published in mid-December and ministers are hoping that it will recommend an additional pay increase in return for changes to working practices. Ministers believe a relatively high offer will undermine public support for the union.

Sir George's spokesman said the three members of the review team had been to West Yorkshire where they met 50 firefighters and Mr Young had found a visit to Essex yesterday "exceedingly informative". The spokesman added: "They have encountered no discourtesy. Firefighters have been good-humoured and members of the inquiry have gained useful information."

Training continues for members of the armed forces who, in the event of strikes, will crew the 900 Green Goddess fire engines taking the place of 3,000 fire brigade appliances. The Ministry of Defence has said the auxiliary firefighters will concentrate on saving lives rather than protecting property. That will be left to burn out, a spokesman added.

The executive of the FBU is to meet on Friday to plan the industrial action. It is likely to involve nationwide strikes of up to eight days' duration.