Firefighters' leaders seek meeting with Prescott after rejecting deal

Firefighters' leaders have rejected a "final'' offer of 16 per cent over three years aimed at settling their eight-month dispute.

Andy Gilchrist, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), said last night that new proposals from management, which involve sweeping changes to working practices, were "unacceptable", and that he would be seeking an urgent meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott.

In the absence of a settlement, Mr Gilchrist said a recalled union conference on 19 March would be urged to turn down the fresh offer and the delegates would then decide whether to resume the union's campaign of industrial action. FBU officials have drawn up contingency plans for months of stoppages varying between two hours and four days.

The FBU leader said the proposals tabled by management yesterday threatened the fire service with "casualisation'', although he added that it would "worth'' meeting Mr Prescott to seek a way through the impasse.

Mr Gilchrist said the package proposed by employers – and endorsed by the Government – was worse than an offer tabled by local authorities last year but vetoed by ministers.

The FBU executive was told that the proposals would cede far more power to local managers, with minimal protection for firefighters. Union officials were particularly concerned that brigades would be able to dictate shifts after consulting the union, but not necessarily with its agreement.

Firefighters could be asked to change their duties and workplace on 14 days' notice. Further sticking points are the stipulation that the union should drop its ban on overtime for non-emergency work and that it agree a "new'' national negotiation machinery.