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Further strike in fire shifts row New strike over fire shifts row
(30 minutes later)
Fire crews in South Yorkshire are to take further strike action after attempts to resolve a long-running dispute over shift changes failed.Fire crews in South Yorkshire are to take further strike action after attempts to resolve a long-running dispute over shift changes failed.
A series of strikes were held last year after 744 firefighters were told they would lose their jobs if they did not accept 12-hour day and night shifts.A series of strikes were held last year after 744 firefighters were told they would lose their jobs if they did not accept 12-hour day and night shifts.
A breakthrough was reached when fire chiefs agreed to bring in mediators, but negotiations broke down last month.A breakthrough was reached when fire chiefs agreed to bring in mediators, but negotiations broke down last month.
Crews will walk out for 48 hours from 0900 GMT on 24 January.Crews will walk out for 48 hours from 0900 GMT on 24 January.
The county's chief fire officer said the decision by Fire Brigades Union (FBU) members was "disappointing and baffling". Considering all the job losses and pay cuts being implemented elsewhere across South Yorkshire and the UK, I would urge the FBU to get into the real world Mark SmithermanChief fire officer
Last month the Fire Brigades' Union (FBU) and the fire authority agreed to alternative 11-hour day shifts and 13-hour night shifts, but the proposal was rejected by union members in a vote.
The fire authority then revived its plans for 12-hour shifts and started consultations with staff.
The FBU said it believed that process "could ultimately end up with the sacking of large numbers of firefighters" if they failed to agree to the changes.
The union said a further eight-day strike could be scheduled on Monday unless the fire authority withdrew its plans to enforce 12-hour shifts.
Public 'at risk'
The two parties have also been arguing over the terms of reference to enter binding arbitration with Acas.
The county's chief fire officer said the decision to take further strike action was "disappointing and baffling".
Mark Smitherman said: "It was only yesterday that we wrote to the FBU confirming our agreement to go to Acas for binding arbitration, and inviting them to a meeting to sign the terms of reference which would have ended this dispute.
"We have done everything possible to resolve this dispute through negotiation and are incredibly frustrated that the FBU have rejected the recommendations of their own officials to end this dispute.
"Sadly, it is the public which is now being put at risk as a result of that split in the union."
'Completely ignored'
Mr Smitherman added: "Considering all the job losses and pay cuts being implemented elsewhere across South Yorkshire and the UK, I would urge the FBU to get into the real world."
Ian Murray, regional secretary of the FBU, said: "We have written to [the fire authority] on several occasions seeking to resolve this matter and offering other alternative routes which are commonly used in the fire service.
"Most recently we wrote on 12 January requesting that they withdraw their intent to start the sacking process and the full range of issues we would like to be considered by Acas but they have written back to us completely ignoring the contents of our letter.
"The FBU has also spoken to Acas, fully explaining its position and why it is necessary for them to give a decision on the whole thing and not just the parts that [the fire authority] want to be considered."