The firefighters' resolve to fight for a fair pay deal was hardened this week after the Government announced plans to introduce new powers to end the strike.

The Government's patience over the pay dispute finally snapped on Tuesday when the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said a bill could be rushed through parliament giving the Government powers to impose a pay settlement and to set the working conditions under which firefighters work.

But firefighters who walked out at 9am on Tuesday in the latest 48-hour strike said the ultimatum had only hardened their resolve to continue fighting for a 40 per cent rise.

Green Goddesses manned by soldiers provided cover during the strike, which ended at 9am yesterday (Thursday). No major fires were reported in Kingston or in Richmond during the walkout.

Firefighters say the 11 per cent offer by employers was over a period of two years and was linked to recommendations in the Bain report to modernise the service, which they claim would lead to job cuts.

Kingston's FBU branch secretary, Simon Wakeford, said: "If you really want to solve the dispute then this is not the right way to go about it.

"We have always been open to negotiation but this has helped to harden attitudes."

Mr Wakeford, who joined the fire service 25 years ago and took part in the last national firefighters' strike, said the feeling among those on the picket lines was one of determination.

He said: "This started off as a pay claim and we are still fighting for that pay claim.

"The Government seem to have lost sight of that."

January 31, 2003 10:30