By Sam Smith BBC News Online

Employers' chiefs will offer "no new money" to striking firefighters when strike talks resume next week, BBC News Online has been told.

The Employers' Organisation said the Bain report - recommending an 11% pay rise funded by modernisation - would be the only deal on the table.

We have strikes planned and it looks like they are going to go ahead Fire Brigades Union spokesman

The announcement comes as fire chiefs paid tribute to an off-duty firefighter who died while trying to rescue his brother from a blaze at his home in East Sussex.

The employers' national executive met earlier this week and will discuss the issue again on Monday.

Both sides are due to begin separate talks with conciliation service Acas on Tuesday, with the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) planning two 48-hour strikes on 28 January and 1 February.

Employers' leaders are not optimistic about averting further walk-outs.

Jim Christie, from the Employers' Organisation, told BBC News Online: "We have met and the position is very, very clear.

"We will be telling the Fire Brigades Union that we will be offering no more in pay than was in the Bain report.

"We will say Bain is the only game in town."

Sizeable increase

The Bain review, published in December, was roundly condemned by the FBU as "irrelevant" and "insulting".

It interprets talk of modernisation as job cuts.

Geoff Ellis, spokesman for the FBU, said the union's national executive would also be meeting this week to discuss its approach to negotiations.

Bain proposals

11% pay rise over two years Changes to shift patterns Charges for false alarm calls Insurance firms charged for road accidents Extra medical training for firefighters

But he said the Bain report was "not the way forward."

Mr Ellis added: "We will reserve comment until we see exactly what the employers are proposing next week.

"However, we are after a sizeable increase for our members and until we get that the dispute is going to continue.

"We have strikes planned and it looks like they are going to go ahead."

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.