An all-out strike by thousands of Council workers is likely to be called off after regional conciliation talks.

Bradford Council's computer section was poised for an indefinite strike two weeks ago. The stoppage would have brought services to a standstill and caused chaos across the district.

But the union and Council agreed to go into talks with local government conciliators after reaching deadlock in the dispute over terms of employment contracts.

The Council wanted to change conditions covering redundancy, redeployment and protection of pay if people were transferred into lower paid jobs.

The authority said it gave the workers greater protection, but staff said they believed it was a fast track to redundancy.

But the Council's decision to serve notice on the existing terms sparked a strike ballot which was supported by thousands of members.

Today Unison branch chairman Liz Devlin said a special general meeting of members had been called for January 8 when they would be asked to agree to amended terms.

She said references to compulsory redundancy had been removed and there were more robust redeployment proposals.

Miss Devlin added: "I am pleased that we were able to get back round the table and were able to come to a mutual understanding."

The Council's Director of Human Resources, Vanda Rodgers, said: "The Council and union negotiators feel the talks were very positive, given the good will on both sides to find a mutually acceptable solution. If the vote at the meeting is positive it will bring an end to the present threat of further industrial action by Unison.