PROPOSED strike action by Blackburn with Darwen council staff has been thrown into confusion after one of the unions involved in the dispute suspended its plans.

The GMB union has decided to postpone its general strike, planned for Wednesday, after last ditch talks with chief executive Graham Burgess.

A spokesman for the other union set to take part in the industrial action, Unite, said she would consult with members but had no plans to suspend the action.

Around 600 workers from the two unions, including refuse collectors, street cleaners and library staff, were set to strike over controversial changes to council staff salaries.

Prior to talks yesterday, following a letter outlining the council's position, GMB organiser Graham Coxon had made two demands - that no members suffer financial loss as a result of the job evaluation' process, and that a letter threatening staff with the sack if they didn't accept the changes is withdrawn.

But afterwards he said members would be signing the letter because there was "no choice", although the union would reserve its mandate to strike.

And he agreed to the council's request to suspend the action while the council demonstrated its plans to alleviate the loss suffered by workers.

These include retraining in a bid to move up the salary scale - a proposal that has been on the table since the new salary scale was first unveiled.

Mr Coxon denied the union had climbed down from its threat of a walkout with a resulting "catastrophic" impact on services.

He said: "I do not think anyone is backing away - all we are trying to do is do the best for our members.

"If there are people disappointed we are not going ahead with the action I hope they realise we are doing it in their best interests."

Members will receive letters explaining that the strike has been postponed until June 16, he added.

The controversial job evaluation' process has seen 5,500 council jobs reviewed in an attempt to ensure equality between men's and women's salaries.

Under the current proposals, which have already been agreed by the council's ruling executive board, 1,266 workers are facing cuts to their salaries.

Council chiefs say 46 per cent of wages will increase and 30 per cent will stay the same.

Ros Shepherd, of Unite, said: "As far as I am concerned I am not suspending the strike action until I have met with members."

The two unions have approximately 300 members each at the council.

Mr Burgess said: "Negotiations with the unions are continuing and we are pleased that the GMB has decided to postpone any strike action to allow these discussions to take place.

"We will continue to work together with union colleagues with the aim of reaching an agreement over the pay proposals."