Crunch talks were due to take place this afternoon in a last-ditch attempt to avoid strike action by Shropshire Council workers.

Members of Shropshire Unison have voted to hold a day-long walkout tomorrow after the council announced plans to impose a 5.4 per cent pay cut on staff and introduce new terms and conditions.

But after a request for talks by Unison, which has 2,500 members working for the authority, council leader Keith Barrow has agreed to meet with branch secretary Alan James this afternoon in the hope a deal can be struck which would see the strike called off.

Councillor Barrow had claimed Unison was only prepared to negotiate if the council dropped its plans to dismiss 6,500 staff on September 30 and re-engage them the next day with the pay cut and new terms.

But officials at Unison have denied they have any ‘pre-conditions’ and claim they are prepared for talks to find a solution.

Last week Unison said 66 per cent of its members who work at the council and returned their ballot papers voted to take industrial action over the dispute.

However, it has emerged that a potential deal is being thrashed out between the council and the GMB union which could see the 5.4 per cent pay cut reduced or even halved.

Councillor Barrow today said he hoped Unison could also help reach a compromise.

He said: “Shropshire Council has always wanted Unison to return to the negotiating table to discuss options to potentially lessen next year’s proposed pay cut.

“Unison have agreed to meet with us, where it is hoped we will be able to restart productive discussion about a positive way forward for our staff and the people of Shropshire.

“I feel that this is a really positive step in the right direction, and hope that Unison brings something new to the table, which will open up fresh new discussions and help us reach an agreement.”

Mr James said: “If we can find a solution it’s got to be in everybody’s interest.”