Local authority employers are meeting today ahead of fresh talks with firefighters' leaders which have raised hopes that the threat of strikes can finally be averted.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has called off two 48-hour walk-outs planned for Tuesday, Wednesday and next weekend, so that negotiations over its 40 per cent pay claim can resume.
Ian Moore, pay co-ordinator for the County Durham and Darlington branch of the FBU, said: "It is a victory for common sense and we are hopeful of a positive outcome through negotiation.
"It is against the nature of any firefighter to withdraw their service.
"But the strike planned for November 6 may still go ahead if agreement isn't reached."
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