Local government employers in Wales have called on firefighters to return to negotiation rather than the picket line, in pursuit of their pay claim.

The Welsh Local Government Association has expressed disappointment at the Fire Brigade Union's decision to continue strike action with a 24-hour stoppage on 21 January.

What is on offer is 11% up until November of this year, which isn't a bad offer Ted George, UK fire employers

Two 48-hour strikes planned for later in January and early February will also go ahead.

Councillor Derek Rees, WLGA spokesperson for the fire authorities, said: "To refuse further negotiation at this point is regrettable and a definite step backward - talking is the only way to draw this dispute to a close.

"The employers' offer is realistic - eventually an agreement has to be reached and further industrial action will only delay the prospect of a final settlement."

His comments were echoed by Ted George, chair of the UK fire employers.

He told BBC Wales: "What is on offer is 11% up until November of this year which isn't, in the current pay round of public sector workers, a bad offer.

Fire cover will be provided by the military

"Linked to that is our modernisation agenda and we do want to look at ways that can improve the fire service - to make the fire service more flexible - and having people where we need them, when we need them.

"We're still saying that 11% is there, up until November of this year, in exchange for that modernisation agenda.

"But the opportunity is there also to look at what will come after November and what will be available in the next pay round."

He said up to 7% of the current pay offer would be funded by the taxpayer with the additional money funded from savings made within the fire service.

But Mr George denied the fire union's claims that the flexibility demanded by employers would result in more than 4,000 job losses

He said: "It's not like a production line, where you can try and cut 10% of your production to make some savings, or make people work harder or more efficiently.

Basic wage

"What it's about is delivering the service in an efficient way, which will make some savings in the delivery of that service at certain times of the day."

He said the proposed changes would also enable the fire service to increase its fire prevention work.

Firefighters held a two-day national strike - the first since 1977 - last November, followed shortly after by an eight-day walkout.

Plans for action in December were suspended to allow extra time for talks.

The FBU is officially campaigning for a fully qualified firefighters' basic wage to rise from �21,500 to �30,000, although they have said they are willing to negotiate in practice.