Vic firie pay deal close to resolution

Victoria's firefighters union could get the power to veto management decisions as part of a resolution to end a long-running pay dispute.

The news comes after Premier Daniel Andrews defended a controversial "consultation" clause at the centre of the dispute.

The clause would allow for the union to effectively veto management decisions - even minor ones - and Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett has been pushing hard to get rid of it.

Mr Andrews also confirmed he had met last week with United Firefighters Union secretary Peter Marshall to "progress negotiations".