It's eight days until the fire-fighters go on strike.
I think the Firemen and their union are in real danger of losing the (considerable) public support they have, that would be a huge shame.

I'm sure most of the public agree that the £21k a year they are paid is too little, especially when you consider that they face considerable risk on a daily basis. Going on strike at what must be the busiest time of year for the service isn't going to do them any favours with the general public, they might as well hold a gun (or a firework?) to our heads.

If I asked my employers for a 40% pay rise they would tell me to fuck off, the Firemen have been offered an independent pay review (Granted, they question how independent it would really be though).

Historically, the salary of Fire-fighters has been linked to that of semi skilled manual workers. This may have been about right in the days before breathing apparatus and the "Jaws of Life", but since the seventies their role has expanded considerably (think traffic accidents).

The tragic events of September 11th highlighted the potential peril of the job, the public support their cause, they have a strong case for any review board and they even have an offer of a salary review!

From a purely PR point of view, they would be mad to throw that away.