Earlier, Andy Gilchrist, the leader of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), told the BBC there was "every chance" that two further strikes - scheduled for 28 January and 1 February - may be suspended.

But he warned that talks would only resume if there were no pre-conditions attached by employers.

However, John Ransford, of the Local Government Association, said pre-conditions would remain in place.

The latest strike - which ended at 0900 GMT on Wednesday - lasted for 24 hours.

Some 19,000 military personnel were on standby to cover the gap with their ancient Green Goddess engines as well as 177 red appliances.

How can further walkouts be prevented? Will the public continue to back strikes while there is a threat of military action in Iraq?

This Talking Point is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

This dispute should have been sorted out a long time ago Margaret, UK

As the wife of a firefighter, I do not want this strike to continue, nor do I want to see the troops forced into doing the job of the fire fighters. This dispute should have been sorted out a long time ago and we are a sorry nation when it comes to all public services being underfunded and troops sent to war with no kit. I for one say that it is nothing to be proud of and we are supposed to be one of the G8 countries.
Margaret, UK

Southall, Paddington, Potters bar etc, etc. This is what happened when a government modernised a railway and tried to make it pay. There will be a list of names for fires that couldn't be controlled if the government's plans for the fire service come in.
Peter Pope, UK

It is a national disgrace that a married fire fighter with children is eligible for benefits to supplement his wages! And to all those who say the fire fighters are greedy, I would ask how many would be prepared to say it face to face with a fire fighter who is about to pull you from a burning building!
Judith Turner, UK

If there is a better way of doing their job which in turn should increase the chance of saving life, then surely they must accept it A Stephen, Edinburgh, Scotland

If the fire fighters do not want to share control centres with the other emergency services and do not want to be modernised for fear of cutbacks, then surely they are all putting people's lives at risk. If there is a better way of doing their job which in turn should increase the chance of saving life, then surely they must accept it.
A Stephen, Edinburgh, Scotland

What worries me is that the Government think they know how to run the Fire Service. The Bain report was conducted over 6 weeks without talking to a single fire fighter or Officer. But what is even more worrying, are the Government's plans for dealing with a Chemical attack. They have issued every fire station in this country with latest state of the art, modern buckets, sponges, and bottles of detergent to rub down people and fire fighters who have been exposed to the chemicals. The Fire Service in the Governments hands? I pray not!
Tom, London

Of course the fire fighters will call off their strikes scheduled for 28th because they realise that the general public are not bothered with their case. They will realise it is costing them money and that they have lost their argument with the Government. 40% - get real!
Paul, Manchester, UK

I totally agree with the fire service claims and can see their point. What this actually comes down to is if public services can have commercial viability. In itself it is a nonsense to think like that. Everywhere you look - railways, etc the Government is ruled by operating profit. But what makes a politician worth a forty per cent pay rise unopposed? They are after all public servants. Nothing that has been privatised and was a public utility has been found to work in the expected way. All the brains have failed to work that out, but they have been able to line their pockets at taxpayers' expense. Time people grew up.
Tony, Welling Kent

These fire fighters should learn from previous strikes. There is no point trying to hold the country to ransom. This claim of the fire fighters is nothing but sheer greed, and they have no hope in getting it. I am a self employed fisherman.
Dave Harrison, UK

Further walkouts will only be avoiding if the fire fighters and their unions come to their senses and reduce their ridiculous demands, by either accepting Inflation Increases or by agreeing to move into the 21st century and modernise accordingly. John Alexander should check his figures, 4% is well above inflation.
Jason - Leicester, England

Rest assured these same people will be criticising you for taking so long to arrive in their time of need Bill Stevenson, England

To all Fire-fighters, I say forget public opinion. What right do we have to judge your decision to strike? The public doesn't have a clue about the skills or work involved in being a Fire-fighter. So how can we know what a Fire-fighters worth is. Most people won't have a clue about the logistics of protecting the community from fire, flood or any other disaster. They probably haven't read or understood the Bain review, but criticise you for not adopting it. And they certainly don't appreciate what is at stake if the Government have their way. When Bain is enforced by the Government, and I have no doubt it will, rest assured these same people will be criticising you for taking so long to arrive in their time of need. You have my support, but you don't need it. You know what is at stake. I have never needed your help, and I sincerely hope I never do. But, regardless of the outcome of the strike, I thank you for trying to protect the Fire Service.
Bill Stevenson, England

Bill Stevenson of England. I am the wife of a firefighter and know what is at stake if the Government go ahead with the Bain review. It is so nice to hear from a member of the public who has had the time to read the review. It is a pity that more couln't do the same, instead of slating all the firefighters saying they are greedy. Well done Bill.
V, England

I think all firemen should be ashamed of themselves. It's been proved that they are fairly paid, there is no recruitment problem and they do not want to change. Wake up and stop putting more pressure on our already depleted armed forces.
Gary, England

If the fire fighters think that they still have public support they are deluding themselves. Nobody I know supports their continuing strike action. People like fire fighters, of course, they think of the sacrifice of 9/11 etc. and the dangers all fire fighters face and so toot their horns in appreciation outside stations etc but ask them honestly if they deserve a 40% rise and the answer is firmly No. They should grab the 4% this year and 7% next year. They can't keep on milking their popularity for ever, particularly since there are lesser paid professionals about to face greater dangers in the Gulf
Adrian, UK

The public has a right to know the truth about the role of the fire brigade and the amount of work we do to prevent fire deaths i.e. community fire safety, fire safety inspections, firework inspections. I could go on because when we lose jobs this will be affected and death rates will rise.
Steve, England

All the fire people interviewed have shown great dignity and dedication to duty. If we don't believe in paying people of that calibre a just wage then we'll get the same results and disasters of other New Labour endeavours. To say nothing of the lessons for the whole English workforce. e.g. Dedication to duty is not as important as the rules handed down by bureaucrats. "Obey and we'll pay" is a recipe for disaster.
Michael Harris, Ireland

How much money are we talking about? What would it cost to pay the firemen the 40%? It may be large percentage, but it's not a lot of money.
John, UK

The comments from people saying fire fighters have to agree to get rid of their "perks", should do some research of their own and not just agree with the rubbish they are being fed by Prescott, Raynsford and co. I have been a fire fighter for 15 years and I can't think of any "perks" that go with my job. If they mean the shift system, well 48 hours in a fire station is quite enough for me. If they mean the pension scheme, I pay 11% (�180 per month) into that. What are these "perks" please? The government have just "modernised" their working practices. That means a new, much shorter working week, more holidays, less working in the evening, and a 40% pay rise. While I'm on the subject of the Government, they recently granted themselves a new enhanced pension scheme for which they only contribute 6%. And this is democracy.
Mark, England

If paying more to improve these essential services is not in our interests then what is? Maz, UK

The firemen not only provide an emergency service but also serve us on a humanitarian level by the fact that they can save lives just like other public sector workers like nurses. If paying more to improve these essential services is not in our interests then what is in this really selfish society? However for the sake of gaining some oil, then we will pay, no matter how dear the price we will have to pay, now and later on.
Maz, UK

The starting wage for a British army officer is �18,500. In order to receive their commission they have to undergo a years intensive training at RMAS. On top of this most are university graduates. This says nothing of the regular private soldier whose income is considerably less. They are expected to risk their lives for the defence of the nation, and often are separated for long periods at a time from family, when on tours or stationed abroad. What gives firefighters a right to the huge increase in pay when compared to our service personnel?
Anonymous

Everyone accepts the value of fire fighters, but we simply cannot pay more. Let's concentrate funds on areas where the public sector is having real trouble getting staff, such as nursing.
Roger, UK

I am appalled that the firefighters are persevering with these strikes. Diz, UK

I am appalled that the firefighters are persevering with these strikes. They are not the only public service workers who do not earn fair amounts of money, in fact they earn more than many, but other public service works do not hold the country to ransom by risking lives and forcing the government to use military troops (many of whom receive lower salaries than firefighters) to do a job which is not their own. It is not fair.
Diz, UK

I can't really comment on the wage issue, but I feel very uncomfortable with the fire services going on strike. Seems to be a bit selfish - putting their wallets before public safety. Here's to a quick end to this dispute and the hope that no one is injured due to the strike. And by the way, in the small town I live in the firefighters are all unpaid volunteers!
Eric Fries, USA

Now I may be looking at this very simply but doesn't the government or local authorities own the buildings, the appliances, even the uniforms, if the firefighters want to go on strike move them off what must be private property, let them stand in the street in civilian clothes not the uniforms that are part of the work which they have decided to walk away from. Seeing a group of people in jeans and jumpers standing round a fire may have a different effect than seeing uniformed firefighters outside fire stations.
David, UK

It spells disaster for the British fire service Mark, England

I am a recently retired firefighter who has read the Bain report. It spells disaster for the British fire service and a far worse service for the public. Rather than base its arguments on the six week Bain report, the government should read and implement its own 'pathfinder' report. The pathfinder report took 3 years to compile and was conducted over 10 brigades. Its findings suggested a massive investment and increase in manpower to provide a truly professional and modern fire service. Why doesn't the government mention this report instead of harping on about Bain's feeble effort?
Mark, England

If the government can afford a war then they can afford to pay the firefighters what they are worth. Mr Blair should concentrate on the problems at home before he attempts to solve the international ones.
Bez, UK

During the 70's when the previous firefighters pay formula was introduced, it was linked to the upper quarter of manual workers pay, this included pay from workers in the ship building and car manufacturing industries, which have since been kicked into touch which has meant that the firefighters pay has also suffered and not risen as it should have (unlike a MP). It is not fair to expect that a firefighter who joined 15 years ago should now be happy with their �22,500, and not seek an increase closer to what they're worth
Dan, UK

Let us work towards an integrated "Emergency Response" network Baz, UK

I have made the effort to read the Bain report and have been looking at how other countries organise their Emergency services - rescue, medical, fire fighting etc. The opportunity to really tackle the integration of control, recruitment manning and training, to share vehicles and equipment is available now. Why not go for real "modernisation"? Let us work towards an integrated "Emergency Response" network with fully trained professionals, paid a good basic wage topped with skill premiums.
Baz, UK

When was the last time a 40% pay rise demand succeeded? Why don't the Fire Brigades Union ever talk about the Terms and Conditions of firemen in public? What part of firefighting makes it a profession and not just a skilled job? How many tax payers in this country would want anyone paid out of the public purse to get a 40% pay rise? Why do the supporters of the firemen always resort to emotional heart-string tugging and pleas for solidarity? Just curious.
Andrew Lale, UK

I believe the only people who can comment on what firefighters are really worth are themselves and their families. For they are the only ones who know what they do and what they experience. My brother is a fireman and the factual stories I hear would shock the majority of the public. Apart from the ever present physical dangers, the psychological damage done in times of tragedy is overwhelming. An independent report on earnings by an individual not within the fire service is not just irrelevant but insulting.
Jim, UK

Firefighters are already well paid and their latest demands are simply greed. Stuart, England

Firefighters are already well paid and their latest demands are simply greed. They have been offered a good deal tied to a modernisation package but as this will remove a lot of their perks they will not accept it. They obviously prefer to try to blackmail the rest of us by putting other peoples lives and property at risk. It is also patently obvious that their leaders have their own political agenda.
Stuart, England

Firefighters are low paid for what they do. A regular rise is not enough, though 40% in one hit is quite possibly unrealistic as well, maybe half that for starters followed by dialogue. Come on government, stop playing macho and give us back our fire services and pay them a package commensurate with their work and risks. I will be very angry with the government if I have a fire or accident while the strike is on and would have benefited from their services. I pay the money to the government in taxes, who are they to deny me the right to a decent fire service. It makes me sick!!
Phil, England

I wish the firefighters the best of luck with their claim. They surely deserve it. Anyone whose house is on fire in the future will also agree, I am certain. This government is only interested in saving money, no matter what the consequences of it happen to be. In this instance, we only have to look at the railways, the Dome and anything else that the government gets its hands on, to see that it is incompetent when it comes to the everyday management of the country's services. Do we really want the fire service to go down the gurgler, like the railways? I don't! Give the firefighters what they deserve!
Peter, London UK

The governments economic philosophy needs a radical transformation. Steve, Britain

Of course the fire fighters are a special case - they are risking their lives everyday. When was the last time some parasitic company director risked their life? But few people make a fuss over their pay. The 40% is obviously a bargaining position. If the modernisation was dropped they would probably take any increase at this stage in the negotiations. All public services are starved of cash by the present government, but they still find the money to waste on pointless wars. The governments economic philosophy needs a radical transformation.
Steve, Britain

Obviously I worry when the firefighters go on strike and would prefer that they continue negotiations, but when unskilled airport building workers have managed �32,000 pay deal by their union, you have to wonder why anyone would begrudge a firefighter at least the same. Your life could be at stake...
Lisa, UK

First and foremost on NO occasion should an emergency service be allowed to go on strike. Secondly, the firefighters knew the pay and working decisions before they accepted their jobs. I think we all grumble about our salaries and working conditions. Life is unfair sometimes, so just accept it.
Gregg, Scotland

We should be out joining the Firefighters Gordon Masterton, UK

People surprise me in the UK, they really do. We should be out joining the Firefighters, raising our voices in support to say that we do not want a minimal service at a minimal cost. People should also be aware that this is the start of a positioning by Neoliberal parties( Tory, Labour and the Liberals) to sign up to GATS under which all our essential public services will be privatised. Teachers, Nurse, Firefighters they all deserve more. Taking 1 billion that is set aside for war and giving it to public service staff would be a start.
Gordon Masterton, UK

I am a trainee teacher about to start a second career on my lowest salary since I was 22 (15 years ago). The greed of the FBU galls me, knowing from an ex-firefighter friend just how valuable the perks of the job are for them. The strike is more about protecting cosy conditions of service than it is about pay.
Jon Rogers, UK

No one likes change, but if we don't modernize we can never move forward. The firefighters do deserve more, but so do all the public sector workers. NHS staff accepted modernisation and got a good pay rise for their troubles, maybe something the firefighters need to keep in mind. They would really better off backing the troops and calling off any strike action. If they did that they'd get my full support along with that of every member of the armed forces who gets the chance to go home to their families rather than sitting on call.
Graham, UK

The Fire Service is not a special case amongst the Public Services Robert Christie, England

I think we should get a little bit of perspective here. By no stretch of the imagination is �30,000 a "living wage", it would in fact be a very high wage. I do not understand how anyone can possibly consider a starting basic of �16,941 inadequate for an 18 year old with very few qualifications.

We all know that the Fire Service does a valuable job and does it well but a hell of a lot of people earn less than �30,000 a year and don't complain about it. The essential truth of the matter is that the Fire Service is not a special case amongst the Public Services and if they get a 40% rise it will be Teachers and Nurses and other Public Sector workers who will suffer for it. So come on lads be reasonable.
Robert Christie, England

A 4% rise in real terms is a pay cut for the fire service. If you ever speak to a firefighter they are there because of the love of the job, but that doesn't mean this government can take advantage of them by making them scapegoats for a political battle.

The government cannot afford this pay rise because of the ridiculous amounts of money they waste. I expect better from my government, I expect all the public services to be treated better, I expect better value for money, that means no job losses, more money for public workers and less waste.
John Alexander, UK

Modernisation of the Fire Service affects us all Susan, UK

Don't people realise that Modernisation of the Fire Service affects us all, not just the firefighters? If stations are reduced, numbers are reduced, engines and ladders taken out of service because they aren't used enough, who will that affect on the one day of the year when the firefighters might need the equipment, but Modernisation has done away with it? It might be you. The government is using the 40% claim to cover up the cutbacks it wants to make. These cutbacks will directly affect all of us. If Modernisation goes through there will be less of a service left to fight fires.
Susan, UK

Where will the money come from? Governments that threaten large tax raises to pay for improved public services never win at the polls, but at the same time the public expect somebody to pay for these services. When will the British public realise their hypocrisy? If we want better services then WE must pay for them.

If the firemen get 40% then this will be just the tip of the iceberg - before we know it all public service unions will be calling for strikes. I understand the problems with living in London on their salary but nurses, teachers, policemen and many others have to put up with it. As a suggestion how about London weighting? It's not like firemen in Newcastle can't live on their salary.
Mark Davies, UK

If it is down to us to lead the way then we will Chris Montague, England

Tonight I will be on strike representing an already modern and professional fire service. It is important that the public understand that it is the firefighters who voted to strike, our union has never led us blindfolded to the slaughter. We are ready and willing to accept modernisation but this does not include cuts in jobs and public safety. As many of you have mentioned there are numerous other public services that deserve a pay rise. If it is down to us to lead the way then we will because that's what we do best. Thanks for the support.
Chris Montague, England

On Saturday night I attended a large fire in Weybridge High Street. The shop itself was lost, but had it not been for our aerial ladder platform preventing the adjoining buildings catching fire, the whole street would have been lost due to its intensity. The ALP in question (Chertsey's) will be one of the appliances to be lost in George Bain's modernisation.
Jo, England

I don't support the strikes although I do feel the firefighters have a valid reason for negotiations over pay and conditions Lisa, England

As a wife of a serving member of the British Army I have felt that our forces are getting the raw deal! I don't support the strikes although I do feel the firefighters have a valid reason for negotiations over pay and conditions. However, my husband is now away covering an area of Scotland (at least 300 miles from home) for the second time and yet, he has not been given much training nor issued with specialist equipment, as used by the firefighters. Lastly he certainly isn't getting any extra payment. They have seen to it that he isn't away for more than 10 days to qualify for the extra money paid by the army for being away from home.
Lisa, England

My son, who is a fit 20 year old, applied to join our local fire service and was rejected because he couldn't pass the physical requirements. The whiners who say folk are queuing up to join the fire service really do not understand just how physically demanding the job is or how few actually get through basic training. The fire and rescue boys deserve our wholehearted support, because if this government has its way we will all suffer from a reduced quality of service in the future.
David, UK

My husband is a police officer, they did not go on strike when they were negotiating for their pay deal. They are banned from striking and this prohibition should be extended to all emergency services. They are in a more dangerous occupation, and subject to more criticism than other emergency services and yet the requested 40% pay rise for the firemen would mean that they would all earn more than police sergeants. Come on FBU this really is a ridiculous figure - take the 4% and think yourselves lucky.
Dawn, UK

This is a greedy and cynical political move Darren Bown, UK

Why are the firefighters a special case? What about the police, what about nurses? This is a greedy and cynical political move on the part of the staff and unions and will hopefully end in firefighters having to play by the same market rules as the rest of us.
Darren Bown, UK

My mum works with the firemen she is a chef for them. I think if the firemen get a raise then all of the other emergency services should.
Bekkie, England

If we can afford to go to war against Iraq we can afford to give the firefighters more money. A fireman has more relevance to my life than Saddam Hussein. Charity begins at home.
Ian Simmins, Scotland

They have no choice Fiona, UK

If modernisation means they don't get a decent living wage, and they are unable to use their days off to increase that amount by working a second job, they will be worse off, and they'll be working harder, as there will be less of them. They fulfil the same role in society as airline pilots, both should be paid for what they might have to do, not for what they actually do. Airline pilots can hold companies to ransom hence their much higher salaries. The firefighters have no choice. I support them.
Fiona, UK

I supported the firefighters, but now with the prospect of war and a quarter of our troops heading for the Gulf, I have dropped my support. They should modernise and accept the government's proposal, there is less public support this time around, just like during the fuel crisis. Old news, nothing more and nothing less.
Simon, UK

I feel the firefighters are losing the initiative due to the sterling job the British armed forces are doing with Operation Fresco. With the possible demands that may be placed on the armed forces in the coming weeks and months overseas I can foresee public opinion swaying against the pay strikes. After all the servicemen and women involved with Operation Fresco are in all likelihood paid in line with the current firefighter rates and do not have the benefit of the rest periods or training.
Mark Gannon, UK

The firefighters do an invaluable job but they are not by any means underpaid for what they do Kris, UK

In response to Mark Gannon, the service men and women are certainly doing a sterling job but unfortunately most of them will be earning significantly less than current firefighter rates. An army private is listed as earning �28.32 a day, which equates to just over �10,000 a year. The firefighters do an invaluable job but they are not by any means underpaid for what they do.
Kris, UK

Action taken by firefighters is justified in terms of acting to attain government attention. Our present government feels it has the right to ignore our public sector "life savers" of fire, ambulance, hospital and police services at the cost of human lives. Our families and friends' lives. I feel ashamed of our government and it saddens me. I have lost faith.
Ed Thruston, UK

Firefighters represent one of the few remnants of the old style working practices Mike Finn, UK

Firefighters have a vital role to play - but they also represent one of the few remnants of the old style working practices. The union fought hard to avoid any modernisation opportunities in the last dispute and linked the firefighters' wages to the average working man's wage. They got it wrong. Now they are trying to blame employers for their mistakes.
Mike Finn, UK

Make no mistake the British public will pay for the 'modernisation' of the fire service. It's just a choice between paying up front with a fair and just pay rise for the firefighters in recognition of the skills they have to provide the service you receive now, or increased insurance premiums, less cover, more deaths.
Gary Jackson, UK

How can the fire brigades strike over pay at a time when the troops are preparing for war? Where do we want our soldiers - on the front line or putting out fires whilst the firefighters sit around and watch? I have always been supportive of the fire service until recently when my daughter had her house redecorated, and informed me that she did not know what day the decorator would come as he was a fireman and just worked on his days off. Which totally supports the notion that firemen are well able to hold down two jobs. No wonder they don't want to give up their old working practices.
Pamela Pell, England

Do you want the fire brigade to arrive in 15 minutes or 30? If the modernisation of the Bain report goes ahead your fire station will not be manned 24/7 as it is now (unless you are in the middle of London/ Birmingham etc.) So on-call firemen/women will need to get to the station before the fire engine can respond. The money is secondary to modernisation - don't let them screw up our fire service too.
Arran, UK

In any pay negotiations you always ask for more than you expect Helen, UK

I am sceptical about a 40% pay rise. I don't think it's justified, however in any pay negotiations you always ask for more than you expect. What I am worried about is cuts in the numbers of stations and fire fighters.
Helen, UK

It makes me smile all these people saying that the firefighters don't deserve a living wage and that they should be subjected to 'modernisation' which is cutbacks in service under another name. You don't see these people moaning about the obscene wage payments paid to CEOs of companies that are taking over those services that should be accountable to the public and not to greedy parasitical shareholders.
Marc H Turner, United Kingdom

Why should fire fighters, or anyone else for that matter, have to choose between doing a job they love, which is important and useful to the whole community, and getting paid a decent wage? The men and women of the fire service work extremely hard, long hours to protect all of our lives and property. It's a job which ought to attract among the highest accolades and rewards in any civilised society. Instead these dedicated people are having to fight against petty bureaucrats and politicians just for the right to enough money that they don't have to take a second job on top of their 42 hour week. Good luck to them.
Kate, UK

Like many others I first thought the firefighters had a good case, but I think that they have scored an own goal in the way they have conducted the dispute. I for one had not realized that so many of them were able to have second jobs because of their outdated shift pattern! Now nothing wrong with that, but they really should be open to modernisation. As for striking whilst the threat of war is so real I just wish they would give a thought for the troops and their families who face the very real possibility of separation not only for a shift but for ever.
Andrew-Bede Allsop, UK

With reference to Andrew-Bede Allsop, UK "As for striking whilst the threat of war is so real I just wish they would give a thought for the troops and their families who face the very real possibility of separation not only for a shift but for ever." That is what the fire fighters do every time they go to work, every day, all year round. Nobody knows what they are going to be called to and the life risk involved
Del, UK

Once again we see the Government putting public sector services in the firing line and using public opinion to do their fighting for them. If they were to spend as much money and effort into solving our issues instead of thinking of oil, Britain would be a better place to live.
Paul, Europe

We will get the public services that we are prepared to pay for Rose Evans, UK

There are many public service workers who probably deserve more pay - teachers, nurses, social workers, probation officers and so on. However, time and time again when it comes to elections any party offering lower taxes has won over one that offers tax rises. We will get the public services that we are prepared to pay for.

The FBU leadership made a big mistake setting their claim so high - they have raised the expectations of their members to an unrealistic level. They have led their members down a blind alley and of course now it is impossible for them to turn around and lead them all back to a more sensible bargaining position. They have lost the public opinion initiative. Public sympathy is more likely to switch to the army who are covering for the fire fighters at the same time as having to prepare for a possible war.
Rose Evans, UK

I believe the Government is misleading the public. Modernisation is purely about a minimum service at a minimum cost to the detriment of public and fire fighter safety. Their pay is 15% down on the last settlement in relative terms. Their pay formula has been scrapped and they are required to accept 4% with serious cuts in their own and public safety before they will get anything. This Government that I voted for is behaving appallingly.
Dennis Spicer, UK

I think it's disgusting to go on strike again - especially at this time with potential war - pure bullying tactics by the fire fighters . Hey guys, if you don't like the job, pay or conditions - leave, like the rest of us have to.
Steve V, Manchester, UK

My wife is a nurse. She would be over the moon with a 4%pay rise. Get real, fire fighters. You have to move with the times and inefficient practises have to be looked at and dispensed with.
Tim, England

Sorry fire fighters you have to accept that modernisation is the way forward. A number of other industries/private sector bodies have experienced the transition and in my opinion are better for it. Why not tell the truth and admit that if the fire service is modernised the majority of you will loose your extra "on the side incomes" and have to start working for a living!
Steve, UK

If the fire fighters want to hear about dangerous working conditions and barely making ends meet they should try talking to anybody in the farming or fishing communities. They might then actually know something about hardship.
Steve Reardon, UK

They have lost the momentum they need to win through Derek, Wolverhampton, UK

I support their case, but think that they have lost the momentum they need to win through. It's been six weeks since the last strike. Their story is out of the headlines and we have a potential war in the Middle East to think about. Sorry firefighters you had the chance to go for all out strike to get a result and missed it.
Derek, Wolverhampton, UK

Sorry guys, I do not agree with this strike and most of my friends and colleagues agree. Accept a reasonable offer and for goodness sake modernise and rejoin reality. The public are getting fed up with this, you are doing yourselves no favours at all.
Alan, England

No, if they're not willing to change and modernise how can they expect to get a 40% increase in wages? I got a 2% increase this year, and yes I am paid less than their demands and I live in the London area. I'm not complaining I enjoy my job and if I wish to be paid lots more I would find another.
Louise, UK

Louise, UK: This so called "modernisation" is a word used by the government to fool the public. This "modernisation" is really a way of significantly cutting the number of firefighters in the UK. Drastically cutting the number of fire engines and fire stations also. What will you do when you find out that your local fire station is one of those being cut by Tony & Co? People's opinions will change if they have to wait longer on a fire engine arriving from further afield to put out a fire in their home.
Mark Shanks, Scotland, UK

Same old whinging self centred arguments from the No brigade. Good luck to the firefighters.
A Lacey, England

Saving lives should come before saving money Ben Drake, York, UK

The only 'offer' so far depends on accepting job cuts. The firefighters are quite right to reject it. Saving lives should come before saving money. 'Modernisation' ruined our rail service. We mustn't let the same happen to our fire service! Personally I think firefighters deserve �30k for a skilled and dangerous job. Either way, they're right to reject job cuts.
Ben Drake, York, UK

Most of us are having to put up with small or non-existent pay rises this year. Plus the pensions situation is pretty bad for many people, something the firefighters don't have a problem with, or seem to appreciate how lucky they are. So I don't think they are justified.
Jon Cooper, UK

There are people queuing up to be firefighters. If those that are doing the job at the moment are not happy with the pay rises already bigger than most people's (and inflation), I suggest they leave the profession and let more deserving people do the job.
Greg Heywood, UK

I applaud them and wish them luck Vish, UK

Yes I do and so does anyone in this country with half an ounce of sense. These guys are the first into burning buildings; they will be the front line for any chemical or biological attack. They have to put up with Joe Public's selfishness and stupidity. I applaud them and wish them luck in getting the money they deserve.
Vish, UK