FIREFIGHTERS across the borough could still be asked to vote for strike action after their pay dispute took a new twist.

Crews in Greater Manchester returned to normal duties at the end of last month after a series of suspensions and unofficial industrial action over the use of anti-terrorism equipment.

But national employers have again stalled on paying a 3.5 per cent pay increase due in November last year.

The Fire Brigade Union's National Executive Council has now agreed to recommend a ballot for nationwide industrial action at its conference next week.

General Secretary Andy Gilchrist said: "We are angry and exasperated at the moving of the goalposts during these pay talks. Every time agreement is reached they put up another obstacle.

"The test for the payment of 3.5 per cent was verification by the Audit Commission that the pay agreement had been honoured and change was taking place.

"This test has been passed, the agreement has been honoured by us and it is time to pay up."