ABOUT 50 professional firefighters from Hertfordshire are expected to attend a march in Glasgow to protest against low pay rates.

Fire Brigades Union (FBU) members from all over the country are expected to attend the march on Monday as part of a campaign to increase the pay of firefighters and emergency fire control staff to £30,000.

At present professional firefighters are paid £21,531 a year.

East Anglia FBU co-ordinator Dave Cain said: "We are taking part in this march to highlight the fact firefighters are working a 42-hour week, risking their lives for the public and still having to claim Working Families Tax Credit to make ends meet.

"We hope we can avoid the necessity for national strike action."

The only fire service strike ever was in 1977 when the national formula for pay was established.

July 18, 2002 16:00