Union calls off bonfire night strike after agreement to hold further talks

TONIGHT’S bonfire night strike by firefighters has been called off after London Fire Brigade and the Fire Brigades Union agreed yesterday to hold further talks in a dispute over new contracts.

The 47-hour strike was due to run from 10am today until 9am on Sunday.

During talks yesterday over new shift patterns both sides agreed to go to an independently chaired panel on November 16.

They agreed that a possible compromise of an 11-hour day shift and a 13-hour night shift was a basis for further discussion.

The Brigade also agreed to lift the threat of the termination of current contracts until the talks reconvene on the 16th.