A SENIOR York firefighter today warned that fire crews were on the brink of new industrial action over pay.

Leading firefighter Jeff Morrow, based at York, said crews were considering walking out for short periods.

Mr Morrow, who resigned as a Fire Brigades Union representative over the way the last strike was handled, said: "The way the guys are feeling, we might go for all-out strike. It could be one-hour strikes, because we don't want it to affect the public, but to show the employers we are still not happy."

Yesterday, firefighters in York, Acomb and Scarborough were answering 999 calls only, but were back on normal duty today.

Mr Morrow said "90 per cent" of firefighters supported the 999-only policy, which ran between 11.30am and 4.30pm yesterday.

He said no calls were ignored while "four or five" 999 calls were answered.

The dispute stems from the seven per cent firefighters say they are owed today under the deal to settle the recent ten-month strike.

Local government employers have offered to pay 3.5 per cent now and the rest when Fire Service efficiency savings have been approved by the Audit Commission.

But Mr Morrow said: "We have never been told what we are supposed to be doing. As far as we are aware we already work to the changes they wanted to bring in."

Mr Morrow said morale among firefighters was the lowest he had ever known in 14 years service.

"There is anger towards the employers, the Government and the union," he added.

Updated: 10:33 Friday, November 07, 2003