THE likelihood of strike action by St Albans and Harpenden firefighters is becoming a very real possibility according to the Fire Brigades Union (FBU).

Around 50 full time St Albans firefighters as well as retained firefighters in Harpenden, Wheathampstead and Redbourn will ballot to take part in a national strike at the FBU annual conference on September 12 unless an agreement can be reached with fire service employers over pay.

The two sides are to meet on September 2 to discuss the issues.

Hertfordshire FBU secretary Mr Phil Mason said: "Unless a pay scale appropriate to the difficult job firefighters and emergency fire control staff have to do can be agreed between the FBU and the national employers on September 2, strike action is looking very likely."

If an agreement cannot be reached the union will lobby members at the conference for a legal strike in late October or early November.

The FBU have not specified how long a potential action may last.

The dispute has raged since the FBU demanded a £30,000 per year base pay rate from the employers and protested over the current formula which has been in place since 1977.

The Local Government Association (LGA) is the biggest fire service employer. It has claimed that an additional £440 million would need to be found to meet the FBU's claims in full.

The LGA has also requested an independent review to be made by the Government to evaluate the conditions of the current dispute.

August 22, 2002 10:00