AIRPORT firefighters met deputy industrial disputes officer Michelle Tiffin last night.

Airport director Colin Le Ray confirmed that the meeting was taking place but would not say what the subject was or which parties would be attending.

It is understood that the Public Sector Remuneration Committee was not represented.

The meeting is understood to have been called to discuss what will happen next in the firefighters’ ongoing dispute over pay and conditions.

Ms Tiffin is understood to have turned down the PSRC’s latest request to have the matter registered as an industrial dispute, maintaining her view that the problems are managerial issues.

It is also understood that Ms Tiffin has deemed that the three-month agreement, which ended on 9 May, signed by representatives of the three parties, including the Public Services Department, does not commit firefighters to a binding arbitration process now that it has ended. Firefighters were paid about £750 each during that period to guarantee shifts would be sufficiently manned when any of the watches fell short of the minimum number of men required to provide category-six cover for larger aircraft. It is also understood that most shifts at the Airport Fire Station are currently relying on firefighters working overtime to maintain cover.

Ms Tiffin is understood to have told the parties not to make public comment without speaking to her. She was unavailable for comment.