Fire dispute agreement approved

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A series of agreements to end the Merseyside firefighters' dispute has been approved by the fire authority.

More than 1,000 firefighters began a series of strikes on 31 August in a row over changes to working practices and allegations of job losses.

The Fire Brigades' Union (FBU) ceased strike action on 30 September after a proposed settlement was drawn up.

The agreements were officially given the seal of approval by the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority on Monday.

Tony McGuirk, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer, said: "The agreement provides not only a short-term solution to the dispute but will improve the long term performance of the service."

The agreement includes definitions of part-time working and overtime, a return to work agreement, a proposal for an industrial relations review and a definition of fire stations classed as low level of activity and risk (LLAR).