Firefighters leaders tonight tried to kick-start peace talks in a bid to avert further strikes as the latest walkout by firemen and women forced the military to provide emergency cover.
The Fire Brigades Union wrote to the conciliation service Acas in a bid to allow talks to resume later this week, possibly on Thursday, ahead of two 48-hour stoppages from January 28th and February 1st.
But the employers made it clear that any deal had to be negotiated within the recommendations of the Bain report into the fire service, which the union has warned would lead to 4,500 job cuts and 150 fire station closures.
Meanwhile the bitter dispute was inflamed still further when a leading Conservative MP described union leaders as a "bunch of idiots", sparking an angry reply from pickets.
Shadow Defence Secretary Mr Bernard Jenkin, asked what his message to the FBU would be today, told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: "You are a bunch of idiots frankly and you are a disgrace to your country."
FBU general secretary Mr Andy Gilchrist demanded that Mr Jenkin should apologise or be sacked, pointing out that many firefighters were ex-servicemen and women who had served in previous conflicts.
Others were reservists who were being called up because of the possible war with Iraq - one firefighter left the picket line in Tayside, Scotland, today to be measured up for his military uniform.
PA