Firefighters put pressure on union chiefs for more strikes over pay claim

Leaders of Britain's 55,000 firefighters will come under immense pressure from their members today to call fresh strike action over pay.

Senior officials of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) are expecting a new offer from management, but they believe it will be insufficient to end the nine-month-old dispute.

It is thought that the union will name dates for new strikes lasting from two hours to eight days in protest at a 16 per cent package over three years which involves sweeping changes to working practices. An emergency national conference of the union next Wednesday will almost certainly endorse the new campaign of militancy.

The union argues that the "final offer" from fire authorities, which was endorsed by the Government, will not be amended significantly by further talks. Andy Gilchrist, general secretary of the FBU, contends that the latest proposals in effect mean the end of collective bargaining on several significant issues.

But the union's strategy will risk widespread opprobrium at a time when British troops could be involved in a ground war in Iraq.

Senior military officers have warned that the soldiers needed to crew auxiliary Green Goddess fire engines will be needed on front-line duties in the Middle East.

While many FBU members fought in the Falklands and the Gulf War, it is thought that their union will resist attempts to suspend industrial action because of the offensive against Saddam Hussein.

Yesterday, the FBU's executive adjourned an emergency meeting until today in order to assess a revised pay offer.

The union is deeply concerned that fire authorities' proposals will allow local managers to dictate new shift patterns and change firefighters work locations in consultation with the union, but without its agreement.

Last year employers offered firefighters' leaders a 16 per cent increase over two years, but ministers vetoed the proposal. A review conducted by Sir George Bain recommended a rise of 11 per cent over two years, which encountered bitter opposition from the FBU.

* Leaders of the RMT rail union gave train operators another seven days yesterday to agree proposals on the safety role of guards.

About a half of Britain's train companies are faced with industrial action over allegations by the union that the guards' role is being undermined by the industry's new rulebook. Some eight operators have agreed with the RMT, and others have indicated their willingness to undertake negotiations on the issue.