Almost 2,000 firefighters returned to picket lines across Northern Ireland and Britain today in the latest stoppage in a long-running pay dispute.
The fourth walk-out began at 9 a.m. and will last until Thursday morning. This will then be followed by another 48-hour stoppage on Saturday.
The British army and the Police Service of Northern Ireland will again provide emergency cover during the latest action.
Up to 600 soldiers with basic training in fire-fighting will man 32 "Yellow Goddess" army vehicles and other emergency vehicles. These will operate from army bases across the North.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) executive took the decision to move for further strike action in London yesterday. The strike follows two days of talks with employers at the conciliation service Acas last week.
Northern Ireland union representative Mr Jim Barbour said the decision to return to the picket lines had not been taken lightly.
"This is because our national employers have made it absolutely clear that any rise above 4 per cent is linked to the reduction of many thousands of firefighters and control room staff," he said.
The FBU wants a 40 per cent rise to boost firefighters' annual salaries from £21,500 sterling to £30,000.
Employers have stood firm on a 4 per cent pay offer, rising to 11 per cent over two years. The local authorities and the British government say anything more must be funded by reform.
PA