A FIRE brigade union chief has pledged that Greater Manchester firefighters will not go on strike in a new row over their pay deal.

And Bob Pounder, head of the Fire Brigades Union in Greater Manchester, has bitterly condemned his own union leadership.

Many fire stations across the UK are refusing to do any work other than answer 999 calls as anger grows among firefighters that a seven per cent wage increase will be paid in two stages.

But Mr Pounder says his members are against the seven per cent pay rise whether it is paid in full -- or in two parts. They feel they should be getting much more.

Mr Pounder said the national leaders of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) had "sold its members down the river." He said he had no confidence in those leading the union's talks over pay.

"The FBU leaders have said they are prepared to accept a seven per cent increase despite the views of the Greater Manchester union membership," he said. "This dispute should not be about seven per cent and whether it should be paid in full or in phases. "

The latest dispute flared after it emerged that the second stage of a 16 per cent wage rise will be paid in two parts -- 3.5 per cent on Friday and another 3.5 per cent in the New Year after it is approved by the Audit Commission.

Local authority leaders insist the Fire Brigades Union knew external verification was needed before the seven per cent could be paid in full. The union made it clear it was expecting the seven per cent to be paid in one go this week.