FIREFIGHTER leaders have called off a planned 24-hour strike after being given a fresh offer aimed at ending their bitter pay dispute.
The dramatic development came hours before hundreds of Fire Brigades' Union activists were due to meet at a recalled national conference to consider a fresh campaign of industrial action.
The union was planning to stage a 24-hour walkout from 6pm on Thursday threatening a huge public backlash because troops are likely to be heavily involved in military action in Iraq.
Local authority employers have not increased the 16pc pay offer over three years but they have "loosened" some of the strings attached to the deal, according to the union tonight.
The FBU executive voted to call off the strike and recommend acceptance of the deal although they will face fierce criticism from some activists at tomorrow's conference in Brighton.
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