Threat of fire strikes is lifted

The threat of fire strikes was averted today, following agreement between employers and firefighters' union leaders.

The threat of fire strikes was averted today, following agreement between employers and firefighters' union leaders.

A spokesman from the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority said both sides had reached a resolution in the bitter dispute, which centred on employers wanting bank holidays to be treated as normal working days.

The FBU had said this could mean extra staff having to work on public holidays at a cost of £30 million a year.

This afternoon's agreement means a ballot on strike action of some 52,000 FBU members will now be suspended.