31 January 2003
Ministers threatened to introduce new legislation that will impose pay and conditions.
As the FBU called a 48-hour strike on January 28, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott told the House of Commons that he would reintroduce parts of the 1947 Fire Services Act allowing him to set new regulations on pay, conditions and the service's assets.
These regulations will be contained in a short Bill, expected to be on the statute books by Easter. They will be followed by the repeal of Section 19 of the Act, included in the Local Government Bill, which will allow more local control of the fire service.
While outwardly welcoming Prescott's actions, English employers were understood to be alarmed at their impending loss of control of the fire service. 'In many ways, it is a bad, sad day for local government,' one source told Public Finance.
Employers in Scotland were less reticent. 'Pay negotiations and management of the service are properly the domain of local government as the employer and should remain so,' said George Purcell, vice president of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.
The Scottish National Party said pay and conditions were a matter for the devolved administrations and said it would fight any imposed UK-wide deal.
The new measure will be the first time this government has resorted to legislation to impose a public sector pay deal. Prescott called on the FBU to seek a negotiated settlement. 'I urge the FBU to call off further strikes and get back to the negotiating table.'
The union, which had earlier threatened a judicial review of Section 19, called for an immediate meeting of the Trades Union Congress general council. FBU general secretary Andy Gilchrist said Prescott's actions were a threat to all unions. 'This raises major concerns of principle including the ability to negotiate with our employers. This goes to the heart of free trade unionism,' he said.
A 'contact group' from the TUC is arranging meetings with FBU representatives and Prescott, although TUC general secretary-elect Brendan Barber said he had 'not ruled out' calling the full council. A statement said employers and the union must now focus all efforts on a negotiated settlement.
The Liberal Democrats said imposing a pay settlement would only inflame the dispute further. 'The government is making a big mistake,' said Edward Davey, LibDem spokesman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. 'It will alienate firefighters and could cost the government public support.'
The FBU is striking over a 40% pay claim to take average earnings up to £30,000 a year.
PFjan2003
