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Talks set over firefighter strike Talks to end fire strike underway
(about 2 hours later)
Talks are due to take place later to try to bring to an end a two-day-old fire service strike on Merseyside. Talks are underway to try to end a two-day old strike by firefighters on Merseyside.
The talks are between the Merseyside Fire Authority and the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) at a secret location.
More than 1,000 firefighters and emergency operators plan to continue the strike over feared job cuts.More than 1,000 firefighters and emergency operators plan to continue the strike over feared job cuts.
The talks are between officials from the Merseyside Fire Authority and the Fire Brigades Union (FBU).
The Merseyside Fire Service has denied that jobs are under threat from a proposed shake-up and said firefighters would see an increase in take-home pay.The Merseyside Fire Service has denied that jobs are under threat from a proposed shake-up and said firefighters would see an increase in take-home pay.
'Savagely cut''Savagely cut'
Mark Dunne of the FBU told the BBC that his members were worried about cuts to services.Mark Dunne of the FBU told the BBC that his members were worried about cuts to services.
He said: "Fire crews are taking industrial action to prevent the senior managers and councillors from instigating proposals to savagely cut 125 firefighter jobs and reduce fire engines at night time, which is obviously when most fire deaths occur in Merseyside."He said: "Fire crews are taking industrial action to prevent the senior managers and councillors from instigating proposals to savagely cut 125 firefighter jobs and reduce fire engines at night time, which is obviously when most fire deaths occur in Merseyside."
The FBU also claims that new shift patterns will lead to firefighters spending 96 hours at a time at their stations.The FBU also claims that new shift patterns will lead to firefighters spending 96 hours at a time at their stations.
The talks will take place between Les Skarratts, secretary of the FBU's Merseyside branch, and Assistant Chief Fire Officer Bill Evans.The talks will take place between Les Skarratts, secretary of the FBU's Merseyside branch, and Assistant Chief Fire Officer Bill Evans.
Mr Skarratts said he was optimistic about the talks.Mr Skarratts said he was optimistic about the talks.
Services will be resumed for a two-hour period on Monday before the strike restarts.Services will be resumed for a two-hour period on Monday before the strike restarts.
The action - which could last for eight days - affects about one million people, as managers and volunteers operate the service.The action - which could last for eight days - affects about one million people, as managers and volunteers operate the service.