Fire Strikes Suspended

SOUTH Yorkshire Firefighters have scrapped the eight day strike which was due to start this morning after the fire authority agreed to refer a dispute over shift changes to national arbitration.

The Fire Brigades Union has temporarily suspended all other industrial action.

The issues have been referred to national fire service arbitration known as the National Joint Council Joint Secretaries.

Ian Murray FBU regional secretary said: "The fire authority accepted our proposals to involve the national employers and union representatives.

“Shift change and related issues will be referred to national arbitration and the strike action scheduled to start tomorrow will not now go ahead.

"It is important this process is followed with a commitment by both sides to seek resolution. This is a real opportunity for us to reach an agreement to end this long running dispute and in doing so avoid the need to continue with the industrial action."