MEMBERS of the Fire Brig-ades Union have stepped up their industrial action in an ongoing dispute with bosses.

The Essex branch of the FBU said members had agreed to ban secondary work contracts and additional work agreements.

Fire crews had previously voted eight to ten in favour of lawful industrial action and, since August 26, an overtime ban and other action has been consistent.

The union has also written to the Essex Fire Authority, formally requesting assistance from national employers and union to help broker a deal.

The dispute stems from a controversial overhaul of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, including changes to the way special appliances are crewed.

The secondary work contracts concern the arrangements for manning retained fire stations.

Keith Flynn, union brigade secretary, said: “The industrial action is being intensified, and we remain very concerned about the impact the current cuts are already having.

“No one is fooled by claims from senior managers the service to the public is being improved by cuts.”

Chief fire officer David John-son reacted angrily to the escalation of industrial action. He said: “This dispute is chugging along because of the egos of some members of the local Essex union leadership. The time has come for the leadership to accept the changes they have sought to derail have already been implemented.

The service has maintained business as usual despite the dispute, and will continue to do so.”

Adrian Clarke from the Fire Brigades Union said hundreds of firefighters were expected to gather outside County Hall in Chelmsford today, to lobby members of the Fire Authority, who are to have a meeting at 10am.

He said: “The Fire Authority are the people who employ us, so we want to raise our concerns directly with them. We anticipate several hundred firefighters from the region will be attending.”