FIRE officers may ballot for industrial action over proposed major changes to the service.

As part of a cost-cutting exercise, the Fire Authority is set to alter Greater Manchester's five division system, in favour of three new command areas.

But union chiefs say the planned shake-up, due to be implemented in April, will mean the loss of 21 officer posts, and some in the Bolton area are believed to be under threat.

Now they are demanding round-the-table talks with Fire Brigade bosses, despite already having been consulted.

They claim 16 divisional officers - who deal with discipline, administriation and training - four assistant divisional officers and one station officer will go throughout the region.

It comes just weeks after Fire Brigades Union members passed a motion of no confidence in the Chief Fire Officer George Almond and the Fire Authority chairman Fred Walker.

Union bosses say there has been a lack of "meaningful" negotiations over ranks, roles, responsibility and pay.

Speaking after a branch meeting, when members resolved to ballot for the industrial action if demands for talks are not met, Bob Pounder, the Fire Brigades Union's secretary, said: "This is a management crisis in the brigade.

"It will mean officers will be expected to take more responsibilty and cover a wider area.

"We're not asking for anything at the moment, only that the authority recognises that they've got a dispute on their hands and they need to negotiate this important issue.

"The officers have the support of every trades union member in the brigade so we feel we are in a very strong position."

But Mr Pounder says the officers would not take to the picket lines. The industrial action would simply be a refusal to comply with the review.

Under the new structure Bolton and Wigan borough fire stations - currently within 'B' Division - would be joined by Salford stations to create West Command.

Fire Brigade bosses yesterday stressed the radical changes would not affect emergency cover across the county.

A spokesman claimed the new commands were being introduced to save money, "flatten" management structure and improve communications. He added: "There will be no loss of fire cover, no closure of fire stations and no reduction in the number of firefighters.

"Nobody is going to be made redundant but there will be a shift in resources in various areas. This change has been planned for the last couple of years and is now in the final stages.

"As far as I'm aware the union has been consulted at every stage. Senior managers are aware of the current situation."

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