Firemen on the picket line

Local authorities said their offer of a 16% increase, staged over three years and linked to changes in working practices, was "exceptional" and would lead to a �25,000 salary within 15 months.

The BBC's Rory Cellan-Jones reports

Firefighters at work

Fire Brigade Union leader Andy Gilchrist says no new strike dates will be set following the 'constructive' intervention of Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. Mr Gilchrist said the FBU will now return to the negotiating table.

The BBC's Stephen Cape reports

Andy Gilchrist

The TUC is asking the government for urgent talks following its threat to impose a pay rise on striking firefighters. The TUC general secretary elect, Brendan Barber, said union leaders would meet the FBU leaders to see if they could help to restart negotiations.

The BBC's George Eykyn reports

Pickets

As the latest 48-hour firefighters' strike began, the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, said the government would introduce new legal powers to take control of the fire service and impose a pay settlement.

The BBC's George Eykyn reports

John Prescott's statement

Andy Gilchrist's response

Strikers keeping warm

Firefighters' leaders say they will continue with a 48-hour strike which is scheduled to begin at 0900 GMT on Tuesday. The decision follows talks in London by the FBU executive. The stoppage is to be followed by another 48-hour walk-out on 1 February.

The BBC's Stephen Cape reports

FBU leader Andy Gilchrist announces the outcome of the talks

Strike preparations

A total of 19,000 members of the armed forces take over the duties of firefighters as they stage a third walkout of the ongoing dispute over pay and reforms. A Mori survey indicates continuing public support for their stance.

The BBC's Kevin Bocquet and Robert Hall report

Andy Gilchrist, FBU leader objects to 'binding preconditions'

John Prescott

The Fire Brigades Union confirms a 24-hour walkout will go ahead following the failure of last minute talks with ministers. In the Commons, Deputy PM John Prescott says the country is in a better position to cope than before.

The BBC's Annita McVeigh reports

John Prescott's statement to MPs

Geoff Ellis of the Fire Brigades Union

Firefighters on strike

Firefighters' leaders announce plans for a fresh 24-hour strike and say talks with employers will be pointless without an improved pay offer. The first of the latest strikes will take place on 21 January.

The BBC's Rory Cellan-Jones reports

Sir George Bain

A review of the fire service chaired by Sir George Bain proposes an 11% rise in firefighters' pay over two years coupled with changes to their working practices. Sir George says the report is an opportunity to improve the service.

The BBC's Rory Cellan-Jones reports

Sir George Bain says the review provides the basis of further negotiations

Employers' negotiator John Ransford on the report

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's statement to MPs

The Army was ready to cover the strike

Firefighters' leaders suspend the next eight-day strike, due to start on 16 December. However, the executive of the Fire Brigades Union sets a new date for a 48-hour strike on 27 January. The move is to allow further talks aimed at resolving the pay dispute.

The BBC's Rory Cellan-Jones reports

Firefighters

Firefighters' union leader Andy Gilchrist uses a mass rally in London to tell the government not to intervene in pay negotiations or risk further strikes. Nine thousand firefighters and trade unionists attend the rally in Hyde Park.

The BBC's Daniel Boettcher reports

The meeting was described as 'very useful'

Fire service employers describe a meeting with the arbitration service Acas as 'very useful', but there is no sign of a settlement. But they warned there is not yet any sign of a negotiated settlement in the bitter pay dispute, or of renewed face-to-face talks with the Fire Brigades Union.

National Joint Council for Firefighters, Charles Nolda

Acas mediation offers 'a glimmer of hope'

Andy Gilchrist leaves talks at the conciliation service Acas after 90 minutes. The Fire Brigades Union leader vowed to fight to prevent the government reducing numbers of firefighters on duty at night, saying the move would put the public at risk.

The BBC's Kim Barnes reports

Andy Gilchrist says "talking will begin this week, not striking"

The FBU announces that its third strike, planned for Wednesday, will no longer go ahead. In a statement, FBU leader Andy Gilchrist says the union will take part in "exploratory talks" with the conciliation service Acas aimed at securing a "positive way forward".

FBU leader Andy Gilchrist gives a news conference

The 15-page report assesses military performance

Downing Street releases a statistical breakdown of how troops have responded during the strikes. It is expected to use the report as evidence that working practices can be safely changed. Meanwhile the FBU is set to decide whether to call fresh strikes in the New Year.

The BBC's Shaun Ley reports

The Conservatives have accused the government of "dishonesty"

The government is said to be considering introducing laws to ban future walk-outs by firefighters. But the Shadow Chancellor, Michael Howard, says the government already has the legal power to ban the stoppages if it wanted to, and is being "dishonest".

The BBC's Shaun Ley reports

Andy Gilchrist says the government's stance won't stop the strikes

FBU leader Andy Gilchrist launches a scathing attack on the government, warning that firefighters' resolve will not break as a third strike looms. He says the unions should consider ending their links with a Labour government that treats workers with contempt.

The FBU's Andy Glichrist makes a speech to supporters