Forum Brief: Fire service strikes

The Fire Brigades Union has abandoned its plans for more strikes after John Prescott promised that future talks would be on the basis of "nothing ruled in and nothing ruled out".

In what was seen as a further move to placate the FBU, the government said it would abandon its proposals to use the 1947 Fire Services Act to impose a pay deal.

Forum Response: Local Government Association

A spokesman for the Local Government Association said: "The LGA welcomes the announcement by the FBU Executive that no further strike dates are to be timetabled.

"We look forward to a resumption of talks to reach agreement on modernization of the fire service, based on the framework of the Bain recommendations. We sincerely hope that talks can now resume as soon as possible and can be held in a positive atmosphere without future threats to strike.

"The employers will be meeting this Thursday to discuss recent developments."

Forum Response: Fire Brigades Union

Andy Gilchrist, general secretary of the FBU, said: "Following the meetings with Mr Prescott yesterday and a written note from the deputy prime minister today, the FBU has agreed to meet with the employers at ACAS next week to start substantive negotiations.

"The Executive Council today agreed unanimously not to set any further strike dates at this stage.

"Mr Prescott has made it clear that the employers' are now able to enter into constructive and substantive negotiations. The FBU welcomes this development in the dispute.

"We've said from the start that we want to get round the negotiating table with our employers on a fair and equal basis. Now that we have a statement from the deputy prime minister that there are no pre-conditions to talks and that the Bain recommendations will not be implemented whilst talks are ongoing we have an opportunity for constructive talks to begin."