STRIKING fire fighters at Woodford Fire Station are bracing themselves for a long fight against the Government.

Stockpiling wood to keep the brazier going, Red Watch at the Snakes Lane West fire house were defiant as their union representative announced that the series of 48-hour walkouts could go on for a year.

The news came as the Government announced plans to try to force the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) to accept the Government pay offer and end the strike, which is costing £1million a day.

A 43-year-old fire fighter with 22 years service under his helmet said: "We are all in it for the long haul. The Government has been wasting money on this strike. It could have used the cash to give us a decent pay rise."

On Tuesday Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who used to be leader of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, unveiled plans to remove local authorities from the negotiation table, allowing ministers to deal directly with the union officials.

But one Red Watch firefighter, Jim Crudgington, said: "Prescott wouldn't have put up with this 20 years ago. He was one of the most rebellious trade union leaders."

And while the striking firefighters say that support from the public is lessening after three months of industrial action as the series of honking horns falls to the odd beep, they are determined to tough it out.

Woodford firefighters' union representative Ronny Waite said: "Prescott could order us to accept chocolate teapots and tell us to wear grass skirts but that does not mean that we will accept.

"We are prepared to carry on for as long as it takes. When the Government talks about modernisation it is really talking about cutting the fire service."

January 30, 2003 11:31