THE long-running dispute between Merseyside firefighters and management over a sacked union official is in danger of escalating.

The Merseyside branch of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has given a seven-day ultimatum to the fire authority to withdraw a cuts package and re-instate the sacked official, or they will hold another ballot for industrial action.

Such a move would dramatically extend the scope of the dispute.

A ballot for strike action has already been held in support of union official Kevin Hughes, who was sacked by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service for gross misconduct.

No strikes have yet taken place while the union and management try to negotiate an agreement.

The FBU also said there have been breaches of the agreement which ended a dispute in 2006, and has accused the fire authority of aggressive management and a lack of compromise or flexibility.

According to the FBU, the cuts include the total loss of 68 frontline posts, and moving another 36 firefighter posts to office-based work on support staff pay and conditions.

All these matters will be discussed at an emergency meeting of Merseyside Fire Authority today.

Liverpool’s Labour group leader, Joe Anderson, has urged a swift resolution of the disputes.

Les Skarratts, Merseyside FBU secretary, said: “These are real cuts to the number of frontline firefighters in Merseyside which will impact on how we respond to 999 emergencies. It will mean fewer firefighters, spread more thinly, taking longer to get to incidents.

“The local fire crews have had enough, but all we are doing is responding to the aggressive actions of the fire authority.

“ There have been relentless cuts on Merseyside over the last three years, more than anywhere else, and there is nothing more you can cut without having a real impact on the service we provide.”

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Bill Evans said: “It is particularly disappointing to receive notification of another dispute when arrangements to meet national joint secretaries to settle this current one will take place next week.

“While I’m committed to conciliation talks, I think this latest move by the FBU demonstrates that they, perhaps, are not.”