Firefighters prepare to call their first national strike for 25 years in a dispute over pay and working practises.12 November: Last ditch talks fail
 The army will provide emergency cover
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The Fire Brigades Union leader Andy Gilchrist accuses the government of provoking the strike after last ditch talks break down with no new pay offer on the table.
11 November: "Insulting" offer rejected
 Britain has more than 50, 000 firefighters
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The union rejects the findings of an independent pay review. The Bain report recommends an 11% pay increase over two years linked to big changes in working practice.
18 October: Firefighters' vote for action
 Firefighters want a 40% increase
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Firefighters vote nine to one in favour of industrial action in support of their pay claim. The Fire Brigades Union is pressing for a 40% increase which would put fully qualified staff on about �30,000 a year.
Monday, 25 November, 2002, 15:52 GMT 
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