COUNCIL workers are to stage another national strike over pay, union leaders announced today.

Staff ranging from refuse collectors to school assistants in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will walk out on August 14, threatening huge disruption to council services.

The workers will also launch a campaign of selective industrial action from that date.

The union officials later announced that a third strike will be held in September.

Heather Wakefield, national official of Unison said: "In the face of the employers' refusal to reopen talks we are escalating our campaign of industrial action.

"It will be a disaster if the employers and the Government take off on their summer holidays and leave in their wake chaos on this huge scale in local government.

"Our door remains firmly open but the employers must be in no doubt that something significant has to come from them to prevent this action."

Members of the Government including the Prime Minister are expected to be on their summer holidays when the August strike is held.

Local authority employers repeated today that their 3% offer was "reasonable and fair", but suggested that a longer deal, over two or three years, could be discussed as a way to resolve the dispute.

Employers leaders said after a meeting in London that any approach by the conciliation service Acas for resumed talks would be positively accepted.

"The employer agenda on any such talks could include the possibility of a two or three year deal," said a statement.

"Employers have always been prepared to be fair and reasonable.

"Our discussions today offer a way forward. I hope the unions respond positively," said Brian Baldwin, chairman of the employers' side.