NI firefighters begin 48-hour stoppage

Almost 2,000 firefighters returned to picket lines across Northern Ireland today in the latest stoppage in a long-running pay dispute.

The fourth walk-out began at 9am and will last until Thursday morning. This will then be followed by another 48-hour stoppage on Saturday.

The British army and the Police Service of Northern Ireland will again provide emergency cover during the latest action.

Up to 600 soldiers with basic training in fire-fighting will man 32 Yellow Goddess British army vehicles, and a number of other emergency vehicles.

These will operate from British army bases across Northern Ireland.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) executive took the decision to move for further strike action in London yesterday.

The strike follows two days of talks with employers at the conciliation service Acas last week.

Northern Ireland union representative Jim Barbour said the decision to return to the picket lines had not been taken lightly.

“This is because our national employers have made it absolutely clear that any rise above 4% is linked to the reduction of many thousands of firefighters and control room staff,” he said.

The FBU wants a 40% rise to boost firefighters’ annual salaries from £21,500 (€32,500) to £30,000 (€45,400).

Employers have stood firm on a 4% pay offer, rising to 11% over two years.

The local authorities and the government say anything more must be funded by reform.