Firefighters are in dispute over pay and conditions

Union leaders have warned First Minister Jack McConnell not to impose a pay deal on Scottish firefighters.

The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) urged him not to follow Westminster's lead, claiming it would be "disastrous".

Firefighters south of the border face the threat of an imposed pay settlement and a strike ban after MPs backed the moves proposed by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

The STUC believed the Scottish Executive had ruled out the option but a spokesperson has confirmed it could take similar steps.

Firefighters across the country have been involved in a series of strikes in pursuit of improved pay and conditions.

Assuming that Labour and the Liberal Democrats form a coalition executive they would only have 67 members in a 129-member parliament.

We've never closed off any option Jack McConnell

If ministers do press ahead it could be the first test of whether a reduced majority can hold up in the newly-shaped Scottish Parliament.

The executive spokesperson said Mr McConnell had only ruled out imposing a pay deal ahead of the election but had not done so in general terms.

She added: "The Westminster Bill on this doesn't extend to Scotland but the new administration, once it's formed, will have to look at the whole issue as a matter of priority.

"So yes, there's a possibility of going down the same road. It's entirely up to the new cabinet once it has been formed."

Working practices

But STUC general secretary Bill Speirs said: "I'm certain the Scottish Executive would not start its new term by taking on the trade union movement.

"To press ahead with an imposed settlement would be disastrous."

MPs backed the government's Fire Services Bill for England, Wales and Northern Ireland during its second reading on Thursday night despite a revolt by 27 Labour backbenchers.

Mr Prescott said he had to break the deadlock because military cover during any future strikes would be significantly reduced by other commitments.

Mr McConnell urged firefighters to accept the proposed "moderate" changes in working practices, but said: "We've never closed off any option.

"We will need to respond to the situation if the FBU continued to refuse a 16% pay offer - which would be welcomed by any other group of workers anywhere in Scotland - then clearly we will need to continue to assess the situation.

"But there are no plans either in place or being drawn up to take any action that's not currently being announced or publicly agreed."