Government may enforce agreement in fire dispute
The Deputy Prime Minister has told MPs he may enforce agreement in the long-running firefighters’ dispute over pay and conditions.
John Prescott, speaking during the Second Reading of the Fire Services Bill, said the impasse between firefighters and their employers must be overcome as the deployment of military personnel in any future strike would be ‘significantly reduced.’
By the end of May, 9000 Green Goddess crews and other armed forces would be on stand-by, 10,000 down on the 19,000 providing emergency cover during past strike action.
It is thought an imposed settlement would be less than the 16% pay rise currently proffered to the Fire Brigades’ Union (FBU).
The Fire Service Bill includes the option of a Government-imposed solution to curb future strike action.
With respect to this option, Mr. Prescott told MPs: ‘If the FBU does not accept the final offer I will use the arbitration powers in this Bill to bring about a settlement.’
The FBU has called the development ‘deeply disturbing.’
Firefighters’ leader Andy Gilchrist said: ‘We reject the idea of an imposed pay offer and the massive cuts, which will come with it.
‘It will cause deep resentment within the fire service. You can impose an offer – you can’t impose agreement. It is a sad day for democracy and a bad day for the fire service.’
The Local Government Association (LGA), for its part, said the FBU was now faced with a ‘finite period’ to affirm the final agreement.
The deal would guarantee firefighters a £25,000 salary by next summer.
The details of the Fire Service Bill have provoked mumblings of rebellion among some Labour MPs. 27 voted against the bill as it progressed through the Commons yesterday.
Despite the protest the legislation was given a second reading by 284 to 59, a Government majority of 225.
There is some hope of breakthrough on the immediate horizon. The FBU will meet employers today in a bid to break the deadlock in the dispute.
