Exploratory ‘talks about talks’ between the conciliation service ACAS and the Fire Brigades Union have adjourned. ACAS met separately with Essex fire service managers. The national fire service conciliators were in attendance.
Keith Handscomb from the FBU negotiating team said:
“From the union’s perspective, we had some useful exploratory discussions with ACAS people. However, no substantive progress was made on the issues in dispute.
“We have adjourned and are now awaiting suggestions from ACAS for us to consider about possible ways forward for further exploratory talks. In the meantime the frontline cuts and imposed changes continue to be implemented and so the dispute remains very much alive.”
