BOLTON firefighters could be on strike within 10 days as the dispute in Liverpool continues.
Union bosses are writing to the chairman of the National Joint Council asking him to acknowledge that the Merseyside Fire Authority is wrong, or they will take action across the country.
Talks took place yesterday as the men in Liverpool began the second of their eight day strikes.
Bob Pounder, secretary of the Fire Brigade Union in Greater Manchester, said if the dispute was not resolved and the National Joint Council failed to criticise the Merseyside Fire Authority, members would be balloted on industrial action.
He said: "I am confident members would be prepared to go on strike to defend their national conditions."
Merseyside crews are in dispute over plans to introduce a new fast-track system into the management structure.
The authority claims it will increase the number of minority groups in the service, while the union feels it is biased against those who join as firefighters.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article