Firefighters to strike today after talks fail

Green Goddess fire engines were on stand-by again yesterday after firefighters' leaders voted unanimously to press ahead with 48-hour strikes today and on Saturday.

The 19-member executive of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) blamed management for the decision, arguing that the Bain report – the issue at the heart of the dispute – was already being implemented.

Employers had been expecting the FBU to call off the walkouts to allow time for negotiations. But fire authorities withdrew from talks planned for today, declaring they would not negotiate while firefighters were on strike.

Andy Gilchrist, the general secretary of the union, said his members regretted the decision but felt they had no alternative. The Government and employers were continuing to implement their agenda regardless of negotiations.

Mr Gilchrist said the union was being told that any pay increase above 4 per cent this year would mean extra job losses among firefighters.

John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minster, criticised the union's action, saying that the dispute had already cost his department £70m.