06 September 2002
The FBU was organising mass rallies for its 50,000 members in preparation for the recall of its annual conference next week. The union said it had overwhelming support for strike action in favour of its demand for a 39% pay increase and expects its members to vote for a ballot. The first strikes are expected in November.
The move follows a week of frenetic activity, with the breakdown of last-ditch talks between unions and employers and government attempts to head off the dispute.
On September 2, employers, including representatives from the Local Government Association, offered an interim pay increase of 4%, pending the outcome of an independent review into their terms and conditions. The meeting was dissolved after two hours without resolution.
Fire minister Nick Raynsford has stepped in, stating that he is 'minded' to launch such a review although he accused the union of 'unnecessary and destructive industrial conflict'. Prime Minister Tony Blair also rejected the firefighters' claim, which would take their pay from £21,500 to £30,000 a year, claiming that it would inflict terrible damage to the economy.
The FBU said it was 'appalled' by this interference. 'Our members are clear that they deserve the going rate for the job,' said Andy Gilchrist, FBU general secretary. 'We are not going to get caught up in a so-called independent government review.'
Despite this, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister maintained that it was still seeking 'both sides participation' for a review. 'Things could change', a spokesman said optimistically.
For the employers, the ball is now in the government's court. Ministers have already made it clear that any pay settlement will have to be funded directly from budgets, with 4% all they can offer without substantial service cuts. The FBU has accused ministers of vetoing any potential offer from employers in an attempt to manipulate the dispute.
But it is not all about pay. Both employers and the government want substantial changes to shift patterns and organisation while the union doesn't want to move on modernisation without a pay rise.
In anticipation of next week's vote for a ballot, the Ministry of Defence is dusting off its 50-year-old 'Green Goddess' fire tenders. But with only 900 in stock compared with 3,000 red engines, employers are warning that lives could be put in danger through any industrial dispute.
PFsep2002
