New talks to avoid a new firefighters strike could take place if employers show they are ready to compromise, says the leader of the Fire Brigades' Union (FBU).

On Friday the Fire Brigades Union announced a new 24-hour strike for 21 January, followed by two 48-hour strikes at a later date.

It also pulled out of a meeting planned on Tuesday at conciliation service Acas.

THE NEW STRIKES

21 January: 24 hours 28 January: 48 hours 1 February: 48 hours

FBU leader Andy Gilchrist said his union could still attend that meeting if employers changed their stance on pay.

The move comes after fire service minister Nick Raynsford hinted there could be scope for a pay rise of up to 19% over three years.

Sir Jeremy Beecham, head of the Local Government Association which represents the employers, has also said there is scope for discussion.

He ruled out compulsory redundancies and insisted no formal offer had been tabled when employers and union delegates met on Thursday.

'No point'

Mr Gilchrist told BBC One's Breakfast with Frost his union had been presented with "non-negotiable" proposals at that meeting.

They would have meant a 11% pay rise over two years and Mr Gilchrist complained firefighters were being told to accept modernisation plans which provoked safety fears.

He said: "If the employers meet on Monday and confirm what we were told last Thursday, then there is no point [in going to Acas]."

Gilchrist says the current offer is unacceptable

Firefighters were being asked to "unreservedly" commit themselves to the employers' agenda.

"It is not about negotiation, it is about capitulation," he said.

Mr Gilchrist criticised confusion and "mixed messages" from ministers and employers.

If "somebody in authority" said the situation had changed from last week's proposals, the union would seriously consider any new offer.

Scope for talks

On Saturday, Sir Jeremy Beecham told BBC Radio 4's Today programme any offer would indeed have to be based on an 11% pay rise over two years.

But he said firefighters should nevertheless go to the talks, as they had much to gain from them.

"There is considerable scope for discussion about how that can be carried forward, and moreover there is also the question of where we go on pay beyond the initial period."

'Three-year package'

Mr Raynsford has argued the firefighters had "everything to gain" from negotiation.

The minister was asked if the government would be ready to accept a three-year deal as high as 18% or 19%.

"Providing that it was paid for out of the modernisation savings, we would be happy with a deal that delivered significant pay increases for firefighters.

"I don't want to put a precise figure on it, but we are certainly not of the view that it should be limited just to the 11.3% in two years that Sir George Bain suggested," he said.

The FBU has so far rejected modernisation measures proposed by the Bain review which it says would mean job cuts and a reduced service.

Key sticking points of the negotiations include the move to more flexible shifts and an end to the fire service's overtime ban.

The union is officially campaigning for a fully qualified firefighters' basic wage to rise from �21,500 to �30,000, although it has said it is willing to negotiate.