PAY talks between Herefordshire Council and its unions could be underway again soon. The prospect of immediate industrial action eased with the authority's offer of renewed negotiation, provided union demands are 'realistic'.

Much now depends on how UNISON, GMB, and TGWU define that realism. Together they are willing to talk again - but not to hear that there's no alternative to what the council wants.

With an overwhelming majority of union members willing to take industrial action over what they are worth, the stand-off is set to be the toughest test of working practices that Herefordshire Council has faced in five years of life.

And its happening with service cuts, a double figure council tax rise and an election in the background.

The dispute's roots are in the council's creation and the inheritance of a number of different pay and allowance structures from the previous county and district authorities.

Talks with the trades unions over parity - a principle both sides agree on - have been underway ever since, but broke down last week with each side accusing the other as to why.

The council claimed the union demands were too costly for its cash-strapped budget to cope and proposed applying new terms without their agreement.

Terms that Chief Executive Neil Pringle said would see the majority of staff better off with those that lost out covered by a four-year salary protection scheme.

The joint unions weren't prepared to accept any pay deal presented as a 'fait accompli'. To them, 'structure' meant the sacking of most non-teaching staff and re-employing them on new contracts.

Last week wrongful dismissal suits, action against illegal wage deduction, and work-to-rule were the way ahead. There's a new mood. Eddie Clarke, UNISON branch secretary, said the joint unions were ready to take up the offer of renewed negotiations.