Mixed views at end of fire dispute

The long-running wrangle finally came to an end when union leaders accepted a 16 per cent pay deal.

Blackburn firefighters voted two to one in favour of accepting the pay offer which, it is understood, will increase the salary of qualified firefighters to £25,000 by next summer.

The increase will involve a four per cent increase now, back-dated to November last year, a seven per cent increase in November this year and a five per cent increase some time next year. The acceptance will also mean modernisation of the fire service by the government will take place.

Peter Turner, chair of the Fire Brigade's Union in Blackburn fire station, said: "We accepted the offer mainly because we feel that it is the best we are going to get.

"Nationally the union recommended it because of the possibility of having a worse deal imposed on us.

"Providing not too much changes in future we will be quite happy.

"Some of the firefighters at this station thought it was a bit like signing a blank piece of paper, which they were a bit unhappy about."

At Hyndburn Fire Station there was also a mixed reaction. Gary Owen, FBU branch secretary, said: "Some people at Hyndburn station didn't want to accept the deal as they are suspicious of some of the wording in it.

"We accepted the deal not because we are ecstatic about it, but because the executive council recommended we do. We're relieved we don't have to strike again. No one wanted to be on strike."

Firefighters at Darwen station would not comment on the accepted of the offer.

Peter Holland, Lancashire's chief fire officer, said: "I am immensely relived that the dispute has been resolved. It has been disruptive for everyone including staff and members of the public."

Steve Harman, secretary for the FBU in Lancashire, said: "We accepted this up against an extremely powerful and arrogant government. We've accepted the pay proposals, but will not accept any proposed cuts."