Government wades into firefighter pay dispute

The Government today opened another row with the unions by wading into the firefighters' pay dispute.

Ministers sought to head off the threat of a nationwide fire service strike by urging the Fire Brigades Union and employers to agree to an independent review of wages and conditions.

But furious union bosses hurled insults at ministers and ordered the Government to stay out of their business.

The bust-up plunged relations between Labour and the unions to a new low. Union chiefs have already slashed donations to Labour, causing a cash crisis.

Fire Service Minister Nick Raynsford stepped in after talks broke down yesterday between the FBU and employers' representatives. He told a conference of fire chiefs that he would ask both sides to consider a review.

But FBU general secretary Andy Gilchrist said: "If the Government had stayed out of these negotiations from the start, we would not be in this situation."

The union has called a special meeting next week to approve a strike ballot over its claim for a pay rise of between 30 and 40 per cent, lifting basic pay from £21,531 to £30,000. Employers are offering four per cent. Mr Gilchrist added: "We are not going to get caught up in a socalled independent review."

A strike could bring Army Green Goddess fire tenders onto the streets for the first time in 25 years. Withdrawal of fire cover could also force the Tube to shut.