Council services could be brought to a standstill after workers voted for a ballot on industrial action.

Around 700 Bradford Council workers packed into St George's Hall to vote in favour of action if new terms and conditions are forced on them through 'privatisation' of services.

Workers are objecting to the amendments to their job descriptions and terms amid fears they could be on a "fast track to dismissal".

The dispute escalated over proposals to introduce the radical Bradford Challenge, where Council assets and information technology could be managed by outside companies.

The building maintenance section is also likely to be transferred outside the authority after a damning report by consultants. Council tenants are also looking at options for the future of their houses - including a transfer out of council control.

But discussions on new terms and conditions for employees between the Council and unions have broken down after talks which started last October.

Chief executive Ian Stewart has said Bradford Challenge aims to improve conditions for staff and protect their jobs.

But Unison branch chairman Mick Johnstone, who gave an update of the talks to members, said: "We can't recommend the proposed package. We are prepared to continue to talk. But we can't accept an agreement which would diminish existing protections."

He told members that capability would be linked to sickness absence and the removal of a right to appeal to councillors in disciplinary procedures, which he claimed were fast tracks to dismissal.

Members were told negotiations were like "hokey-cokey" where the management shook it all about and then came back with another set of documents.

Officers said the authority was acting with undue haste over new terms and conditions and they believed it was to make packages more attractive to outside bidders.

Asked by one worker if his job was safe, Mr Johnstone said: "Jobs are not safe until we have defeated the threat of privatisation."

The vote was taken behind closed doors with members filling in cards for their own trade unions before the overall count. It was the first time all City Hall unions, except education representatives, had joined in a mass meeting over industrial action.