Firefighters to vote on shift changes deal

FIREFIGHTERS in South Yorkshire are to be balloted again on the latest proposals to end an industrial dispute which has dragged on for more than a year.

Fire Brigades Union officials and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority met last week to reach a final and binding agreement over changes to brigade shift times.

The talks were held with the assistance of the National Joint Council for Local Government Services and reached an agreement for an 11-hour day shift and 13-hour night shift.

It was also agreed that each firefighter who moved from the current nine-hour day, 15-hour night pattern would also receive a one-off payment of 750 for accepting the deal.

At the end of the talks, fire chiefs expected the agreement to be binding, but union officials have now said they must ballot members a final time to ensure the proposal is endorsed.

Fire authority chairman Coun Jim Andrews said yesterday: “We are disappointed but remain hopeful that the FBU membership will follow the advice.

“Contractual change is an absolute last resort but there would be no other option remaining if this agreement is not accepted.”