The threat of fire strikes was averted today after employers and union leaders agreed a face-saving deal on the vexed issue of holiday working, unlocking two long-delayed pay rises for firefighters.
A spokesman from the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) revealed that a resolution had been reached in the bitter dispute, which centred on working practices on bank holidays.
The employers wanted holidays to be treated as normal working days, but the FBU said that this could mean extra staff having to work at a cost of £30 million a year.
This afternoon’s agreement means that a ballot on strike action of some 52,000 FBU members will now be suspended, and the soldiers currently undergoing emergency training in how to operate fire engines in the event of a national strike can be stood down.
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Negotiations broke down earlier this month, after a deal to pay firefighters a 3.5 per cent rise from last November and another 4.2 per cent from last month was rejected by the employers at the last minute.
Public holiday working is tied to the 3.5 per cent rise. The increase of 4.2 per cent is linked to modernisation.
Since the breakdown of talks, employers and the FBU have been meeting informally with Brendan Barber, the TUC general secretary.
At the National Joint Council (NJC) meeting today, the employers and FBU agreed to a form of words, brokered by the TUC, which means that public holidays are to be regarded as a normal working day.
Firefighters will carry out normal duties but it will be recognised that they are not “normal” working days, and arrangements for double time and a day off in lieu for those rostered to work will still apply.
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Today’s agreement means both the 3.5 per cent and the 4.2 per cent rises will be paid immediately, according to LFEPA.
Mike Fordham, assistant general secretary of the FBU, welcomed the agreement, which he said had been achieved by “patient negotiation and goodwill on all sides”.
He added: “I hope that we can now put this dispute behind us and look forward to stability in the future and rebuild the trust and partnership which has been lacking recently.
“This has been a long and difficult dispute but in the end our union came through it strong and united.”
Mr Barber said: “The task now for all sides will be to put the tensions of the dispute behind them so that everyone involved in the fire and rescue service can concentrate on what they do best - delivering a first class service to the British people.”
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Val Shawcross, the LFEPA chairwoman, said: “The success of the talks mean that the only barrier holding back the agreed pay rise for firefighters, backdated to November 2003, has now been removed and firefighters will be paid as soon as possible.
“A lot of work has been done on the June 2003 agreement to modernise and it’s about time we celebrated these achievements and moved forward with the delivery of an excellent fire service.”
John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, also welcomed the agreement, and said: “This is clearly good news for firefighters and their families and the public at large.
“These negotiations were the responsibility of the employers and the FBU but I have been kept in close touch with developments.
“At their request, I did meet both the FBU and representatives of the employers earlier this month and I am glad that they have been able to reach agreement.
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“We must now put this dispute behind us and move forward with our common goal of providing a modern fire and rescue service fit to meet the challenges of the 21st century.”