A FIRE service union boss has not ruled out a feared strike by firefighters on Bonfire Night as part of their battle to get a pay increase.

Lancashire Firefighters have until Friday, October 18, to submit their ballots which could see the start of the emergency services walking out in disputes over pay and conditions.

If firefighters vote in favour of taking industrial action they will have to do so within four weeks.

Steve Harman, branch secretary of the Fire Brigade Union, said: "There have been rumours that firefighters will strike on November 5, but there has been no decision to do this.

"It is law that we have to give seven days' notice of any action we take, and we must carry it out within four weeks. Employers have still not addressed the issue of pay and that is what we need to pursue."

In other industrial crisis, the Transport and General Workers Union, UNISON and the Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel (APAP) are currently balloting members on whether to accept the latest proposals from management.

Accident and emergency ambulance staff across the county are unhappy about meal time breaks and annual leave, according to Neil Cosgrove, chapter secretary of the Lancashire branch of APAP.

He said: "We're not getting our contractual rights and we need more vehicles on the road and better conditions. We cannot be expected to work a 12-hour shift with no guaranteed meal break."

Lancashire Ambulance Patient Transport Service (PTS) are also considering walking out, which means that the service of taking patients to and from hospitals may be in jeopardy.

The three health service unions have combined to ballot members -- the results of which will be revealed next week. If the proposals are not agreed by union members a further ballot on industrial action will be taken.