Why the pay talks broke down

The talks foundered on the inability of employers to offer a pay rise remotely close to the Fire Brigades Union's 40 per cent demand.

The union embarked on its campaign with a four point plan: a 40 per cent rise to take salaries to £30,000 a year; a pay formula to replace the one in place since the last strike in 1977-78; equal pay for retained firefighters, whose hourly rate is about half that of full-time firefighters; and equal pay for control room staff, 70 per cent of whom are women. Progress was made on three of the issues. A formula linking firefighters' increases to those of professional workers was accepted and there was agreement on parity for retained staff. Further talks were planned on control room staff, with the union confident of a deal.

The big issue remained unresolved while the employers waited for an interim report from the review set up to examine pay and conditions. The review, under the chairmanship of Sir George Bain, suggested a two-stage increase, with 4 per cent now and 7 per cent next November, but only if the union accepted big changes to working practices.

Employers told the FBU that their offer would be based on the Bain recommendations, but would be worth 11.3 per cent. The pay formula would take effect no later than November 2004 and retained firefighters would get pay parity. The employers said they would consider further evidence on the pay of control room staff.

FBU negotiators said the formula meant not everyone would receive the same rise and the initial offer of 4 per cent would be worth less than half that because it would include paying for changes to retained firefighters' pay.

Employers wanted to begin negotiations on the Bain recommendations, but the FBU said the report was out of touch and potentially dangerous.