New deal ends fire service dispute

FIREFIGHTERS have ended strike action after reaching a deal with Herts County Council. The FBU has agreed to a collective agreement which includes seeing the retention of crews at the current level. The dispute had been caused over proposals in the Herts

FIREFIGHTERS have ended strike action after reaching a deal with Herts County Council.

The FBU has agreed to a collective agreement which includes seeing the retention of crews at the current level.

The dispute had been caused over proposals in the Herts Fire & Rescue Service's new Community Safety Plan.

Herts FBU vice-chairman Tony Smith said: "There are mixed emotions because although our strike action managed to reverse or change the majority of the county council's original proposals, we did not succeed in changing all of them."

Mr Smith said the strike action was justified because it halted proposals "in their tracks" and ensured there were proper staffing levels.

County councillor David Lloyd, said: "It's been a difficult time for all involved and I appreciate the work of the union in resolving matters with us. We've all come a long way.

"Now is the time to move forward together and build on our shared objective of making Herts as safe as possible.

"A number of concessions have been made on both sides, which is a sign of genuine, mature negotiations," he said.