The Fire Brigades Union has been accused of failing to put concessions hammered out during talks to its members before deciding to press ahead with strike action.
Frank Sheehan, the head of West Midlands Fire Service, said he was appalled that an FBU committee had "refused to share" the brigade's offer to resolve a dispute over working conditions with union members.
The FBU served notice earlier this week of plans to stage two three-hour walk-outs on Monday and Thursday.
Mr Sheehan said: "We believe our offer addresses the issues in their entirety.
"I am appalled that (the FBU committee) felt unable to put the offer directly to their members."
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An award-winning computer system that relays information about cases to court users in minutes was launched in Birmingham - but missed out the judges.
The system, eXchanging Hearing Information By Internet Technologyct (XHIBIT), enables police, prosecutors, witnesses, magistrates' courts, victim support and the Crown Prosecution Service to obtain case details in minutes rather than days.
It was launched by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, at Birmingham Crown Court.
The only court users who have not been given access to the revolutionary time-saving system are judges - and they were not pleased.
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Business crime in the West Midlands is costing the region #14,000 an hour and is responsible for a quarter of all offences, a conference heard.
Although the problem appears to be on the decline, it is still an unacceptable blight on the area and damaged prosperity, jobs and people's quality of life, it was claimed.
Overall crime against businesses and on business property costs the West Midlands region #123 million a year, with each offence averaging #5,000.
Commercial burglary was the biggest problem, costing #74.5 million, followed by vehicle crime (#22.6 million), theft/fraud (#11 million) and shop theft (#3.1 million).
In response the West Midlands has become the first region in the country to establish a Regional Business Crime Forum.
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Tributes were paid to Lord Lichfield, one of Britain's best-known photographers, who died after suffering a stroke.
Friends and colleagues joined some of the famous faces he photographed to remember the "charming" man with royal connections who produced a string of iconic images during his lengthy career.
The Queen was left "deeply saddened" at the sudden death of her 66-year-old first cousin once removed, who was famous for capturing the royal family on camera.
Lord Lichfield's family estate is at Shugborough, in Staffordshire. He had three children with his ex-wife Lady Leonora Grosvenor - a son, Tom, and two daughters, Rose and Eloise. His long-term partner was Lady Annunziata Asquith.
He died after falling ill suddenly on Thursday while staying with friends in the Oxford area. Members of his family were at his bedside as he was treated in John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
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A Jaguar sports car, the pride and joy of a Midland millionaire, at the centre of a legal battle is a "mongrel" put together from "bits and pieces" in the 1970s, a court was told.
Allen Lloyd and Swedish businessman, Stefan Svenby both claim their Lister Jaguars are entitled to bear a valuable registration number and mark associated with a car featured in the 1960s motor racing film, The Green Helmet.
Hundreds of thousands of pounds depend on the outcome and both men have already spent "fabulous sums" in the legal wrangle.
More on these stories in Saturday's Birmingham Post
