Mersey fire strike talks adjourn

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Managers are considering Fire Brigades Union (FBU) proposals to end a series of strikes by Merseyside members.

Talks were adjourned after a weekend of meetings between negotiators.

Merseyside Fire Authority senior negotiator Bill Evans said it would take time to study and cost the FBU demands but the talks had gone well.

Negotiations are due to resume on Tuesday afternoon following a fire authority meeting.

'Detailed proposals'

The FBU, which announced more strikes last week, put forward a number of detailed proposals based around the four issues that appeared on the strike ballot.

The action centres on plans to change firefighters' working patterns.

The union claims one in ten posts will be cut, which is denied by the authority.

The recently-announced strike action is planned to be held from 28 September until 6 October.

Firefighters are currently in the middle of their third eight-day strike.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority has said it needs to make savings of £3.5m, partly through voluntary retirement, while some posts will not be refilled.