Firefighters strike in new pay row

Tuesday, 4 November 2003 12:00 AM

Firefighters are taking unofficial strike action over a pay dispute.

The decision to work to rule started last night in Norfolk and is expected to spread to other parts of the country, with unofficial reports that firefighters in Scotland, Derbyshire, Wiltshire, Humberside, Norfolk, South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire are already taking industrial action.

Firefighters are believed to be working to rule over an agreed seven per cent pay rise, which they have been told will be paid in two stages.

Firefighters are only answering 999 emergency calls in the strike areas over plans to pay 3.5 per cent on Friday and the remaining 3.5 per cent in the New Year.

A spokesman for the Fire Brigades Union said they could not condone the action but they understood the frustration and anger of members.

The FBU has accused the employers of backing out of a deal to introduce the seven per cent increase by November.

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