REDBRIDGE firefighters will join colleagues across the capital in a mass walk-out today after union members voted in favour of a strike.

Crews at Ilford, Hainault and Woodford stations will down tools from 10am until 6pm unless an agreement is reached in a row over new contracts.

They will join crews on a picket line at Dagenham Station, where a private firm brought in to provide emergency cover across London will be based.

The company will only be able to deploy up to 27 fire engines across the capital.

The Fire Brigade Union is unhappy about changes to shift patterns and “sacking notices” which have been sent to staff.

Fire Brigade Union general secretary Matt Wrack said: “It is a terrible step to have to take

“But London’s firefighters feel it is the only step they can now take. “Firefighters hate going on strike, but they hate being bullied even more.” Brian Coleman, chairman of the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, which runs the fire brigade, said: “Firefighters are going to be striking over plans to reduce a 15-hour night shift by three hours, and add those three hours to a nine-hour day shift.

“That is all these proposals seek to do – no station closures, no increase in hours and no change to the four-day rest period between shifts.

“This is about making more time in the day for vital training and fire prevention work.”

Have you been affected by the fire strike? Email chris.carter@archant.co.uk