REDDITCH firefighters will be picketing outside their Birmingham Road station during the first of a series of strikes taking place to improve pay.

At last week's ballot, Fire Brigades Union (FBU) members across the country voted 9-1 to strike in an attempt to force the Government to increase their pay.

The first strike will start next Tuesday and will last for two days.

Other proposed strike dates are November 2-4, November 6-14, November 22-30, December 4-12 and December 16-24 - all beginning and ending at 9am.

After 15 years' service, a qualified firefighter receives £21,500 but the FBU is calling its members out in its bid to get this figure raised to £30,000 a year.

Retained firefighters who are members of the FBU can join colleagues on the picket line but non members will be acting unlawfully if they refuse to work as usual.

The Retained Firefighters Union (RFU) is opposed to the strike action and any of its members who take part may be accused of breaching their contracts.

Readers can call the Redditch Advertiser newsdesk with their opinions on the imminent strikes on 453535. We would also like to hear from anybody who finds themselves directly affected by the action.

HEALTH bosses are double checking their fire procedures in the wake of concern over a strike by the Fire Brigade Union.

Redditch and Bromsgrove Primary Care Trust is performing fire drill tests, checking fire escape plans and making sure any rubbish is not left lying around.