There may well be (a strike) if our demands are not met

Geoff Ellis Fire Brigades Union

Andy Gilchrist, FBU general secretary, told BBC News Online the present pay formula, which links increases to those of male manual workers, is out of date.

He said: "We're talking about a significant rise in the firefighters' earnings and improving the pay formula.

"Firefighters' wages are far too low and the pay formula developed 25 years ago is out of date.

"We need to get that modernised so it reflects better the group of workers we are compared with, and the skills and contributions we provide.

Gilchrist: fire service the best in the world

"It's inappropriate to describe firefighters as male, manual workers - we have the finest fire service in the world and there are better groups to be linked with."

Asked if a winter of industrial action could be ahead, FBU national officer Geoff Ellis said: "We have to accept there may well be, if our demands are not met.

"The role of the firefighter has changed immensely since 1977, when it could be argued manual worker was the right skill, but it's a different job now, going into the next century."

Widespread support

The present formula effectively ruled out strike action and provided annual rises for the 50,000 firefighters nationwide.

It enjoyed widespread support, until recent years of low inflation and a decline in manufacturing industry adversely affected pay increases.

Military teams tackled fires in the 1977 strike

The unions argue that a qualified firefighter's salary of �21,531 is too low and the incremental increases too little.

Industrial action would be another blow for the government, which has already clashed with trade unions in policing and teaching.

During the 1977-78 walkout, the army stepped in to answer emergency calls for nine weeks, in the famous "green goddesses".

Firefighters proved their willingness to strike in a local dispute in Merseyside last summer.