AS an ex-shop steward and lifelong Trade Unionist, I feel I should support the firefighters in their claim for a "decent wage".

However, knowing what exorbitant wage claims lead to, I believe the firefighters and/or their leaders are being totally unreasonable and myopic.

I'm not a big fan of New Labour, but one thing they have achieved that no other Labour government has is a strong economy based on low inflation. If they give in to the ridiculous claim of 40 per cent, or even the over generous offer of 11 per cent, they will open the floodgates for other such claims, and inflation will soar, eroding the value of wages, pensions and savings. The poor will become poorer and the wage rises, in real terms, will be worth far less than the initial percentage gained.

It makes sense then to accept wage rises more in line with inflation, thereby helping to keep inflation low, stabilising prices and the value of wages, pensions and savings.

Many say the firefighters are a special case. I do not agree. We all buy our bread from the same shops. They should accept the generous Government offer and the reforms set out in the Bain Report. If they were allowed to work overtime, as suggested by Bain, their so-called poor wage could be upgraded to decent by putting in the extra hours most other workers have to do in order to get a decent wage.

Brian Derbyshire

Ribchester Grove

Bolton