UNION officials are hopeful that talks aimed at averting strike action by firefighters will result in a significant pay rise.
Greater Manchester Fire Brigade Union secretary Bob Pounder is confident pay demands will be resolved before firefighters resort to industrial action. Union leaders want a rise of up to 40 per cent to make minimum pay rates at least £30,000.
The union is also pressing for a 24-year-old pay agreement, which links increases to those of male manual workers, to be replaced by a new system.
Mr Pounder said: "I think the employer will make some sort of offer even if it's not as high as what the union is asking for. The expectations of union members are that we should achieve £30,000 by November. The level of pay for some firefighters is totally unacceptable."
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