The Fire Brigades Union is taking its demand for higher pay to Labour's conference.

The FBU and local authorities are currently deadlocked on demands for a £30,000 salary for fire fighters, and trade unionists have threatened industrial action if their expectations are not met.

Stepping up the pressure on ministers, the FBU is tabling a motion at the Labour conference, which gets underway this weekend.

"Conference supports the fire fighters' campaign for pay justice. £30,000 pa for men and women who do a vital public service and are often placed in dangerous life and health threatening situations is a just wage," says a motion submitted by the union.

And the union is hoping the motion will be discussed on the conference floor.

"We are calling on all activists within the labour movement to support our claim for fair pay for the fire service," said union general secretary Andy Gilchrist.

The union is also set to step up pressure on the government by announcing the results of a strike ballot during the conference.

FBU chiefs expect a "massive" vote in favour of industrial action, but employers' representatives have accused the union of damaging the interests of its members.

With the union now sending out ballots to its members seeking backing for a possible strike, the Local Government Association also claimed to have overwhelming public support for its position.

An LGA poll showed that 64 per cent of those questioned would not back strike action while an offer from employers of an immediate four per cent rise plus an independent review of the fire service is on the table.

The poll also found a majority of the public believing that a 39 to 49 per cent wage demand is not reasonable.

The findings contrast with those of an ICM poll for the Guardian on Thursday, in which 68 per cent of those asked supported the fire fighters, including 63 per cent of traditional Conservative voters.

The LGA urged fire fighters to "think carefully about the options available to them and wait until the independent review reports back in approximately three months time".

"The FBU's current position will have an unnecessarily damaging human cost for fire fighters and their families when a reasonable alternative is available," added the LGA.