BBC confuses the issues

"The row, over training on new equipment during overtime "stand down" time, has led to unofficial industrial action in several parts of the country. A union source told BBC News he feared employers wanted to scrap the rest periods taken between emergency call-outs in the early hours. "

[snip]

"union sources say they believe employers wish to park vehicles in lay-bys overnight and plan to close fire stations overnight..."

"Union members and employers have locked horns over the delayed 3.5% pay rise agreed last summer and due to be implemented last November. BBC
 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3741235.stm

[*my notes follow]

*overtime and stand down time are not the same thing:

overtime is time worked after the official ending of a shift

Stand down time is some of the hours during the night shift
when firefighter are allowed to rest between emergency call-outs
and other essential work. This time is used by some to study for promotional exams or, to carry out other work.

*the deal agreed in 2002 was the outcome of a strike and long negotiations

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"...if an incident like this one were to actually happen in the centre of London tomorrow, hundreds if not thousands of people would die through lack of proper equipment being available to access the affected area and bring people out in order for them to be taken to hospitals for urgent treatment. The Systems tested in the exercise no doubt worked to perfection AFTER the casualties had been brought to the surface, but the fact remains that with the gear we have at the moment, they would never be able to be brought to the surface for the transportation to hospital and further treatment to take place.
The armed police were there to shoot people if necessary who will not stay within the cordoned off area."
 http://www.global-elite.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=152&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0