Union says third fire strike next week is 'on'

Firefighters' leaders said today that another eight-day strike to begin next week was on after employers admitted they had no new proposals to make.

Leaders of the Fire Brigades Union met fire service employers for more than three hours in a central London hotel and afterwards Mike Fordham, assistant general secretary of Fire Brigades Union, said that the Government's position in the dispute had been "less than helpful".

The next eight-day strike, due to start next Wednesday remained on, Mr Fordham said.

The stalemate came as the Government hardened its stance, saying it was prepared to put up with "months and months" of strikes until fire employers come up with a properly costed pay package. But Nick Raynsford, the minister responsible for ther fire service, allowed a glimmer of compromise by telling council chiefs that he was prepared to offer transitional funding for "the right deal".

Hopes of an early breakthrough in the pay dispute evaporated when the Government took a hardline negotiating stance before "exploratory" discussions.

John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, told employers that they should not sign "any agreement that requires any additional government funding". While Mr Prescott's letter appeared to rule out transitional investment in the fire service to make longer-term savings, sources close to the talks said that short-term funds could be made available, provided the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) made enough concessions over modernisation.

The Independent has learnt that on Wednesday Mr Raynsford told the new "supervision body" of council leaders, which was formed to streamline liaison with ministers, that radical reform was needed for any deal. "Don't be too worried about strikes. The Government is quite prepared to see this out and it could be a very long haul indeed. Transitional funding may be available but we will wait months and months for the right deal if necessary," he told the employers.

The fire authority leaders have also agreed with the Government that their strategy should now shift from seeking "service improvements" to achieving "a leaner service".

Sir Jeremy Beecham, the leader of the new employers' body, is understood to have been told by Professor Sir George Bain, who led the recent inquiry into modernisation of the fire service, that he will support the case for transitional funding from the Government. Such a move would give ministers independent cover for offering short-term cash to implement a deal. Mr Prescott also met Sir George on Wednesday.

John Ransford, one of the employers' main negotiators, said: "We have no new proposal to put to the FBU at this stage. We are working with the Government on the formulation of a new proposal."

The employers called on the union to suspend next week's strike, which is scheduled to begin at 9am on Wednesday. But a senior FBU source said: "If they haven't got a new offer to make, it means that the strike next week is almost definite."

£ Seven people have been arrested and 114 more had their phones cut off in the past week under new measures to crack down on hoax 999 calls during the fire strikes, the Home Office said last night. Special powers were introduced in response to the high level of hoaxes during the first two-day walkout. They will remain in force throughout the dispute.