Announcing the decision, Fire Brigades' Union spokesman Kevin Brown said: "A total of 71% of the 890 members who returned their ballot papers voted for strike action so we have decided on a four-day walk out at the end of August."

Members of the FBU are set to walk out on Thursday 31 August, returning on 4 September. However, former firefighters are being retrained so they can provide contingency cover over the four days.

In line with last week's statement by the representatives of the three main political parties, Merseyside Fire and Rescue have condemned the FBU's "irresponsible decision to use public safety as a bartering tool".

But as usual, the bosses are trying to confuse the issue, weaken solidarity and turn public opinion against strikers. The very thing that firefighters are after is public safety, and this is why they have been forced into strike action! They want to stop cuts which will greatly endanger public safety in the long term!

There will be no army cover, since the Territorial Army is on standby for callout to Afghanistan, where regular army are protecting an oil pipeline for George Bush and his business buddies.

The mainstream media are therefore bound to go for the throats of Merseyside FBU. But it is important to remember three things. First, they are trying to make sure there will be at least as many fire engines and firefighters in the future. Second, there will only be no cover because the Territorial Army is standing by to go into Afghanistan. Third, part of the reason the government makes these cuts is that they are spending so much on war!