Discussions in bid to stop strike

The first strike is scheduled to go ahead on 5 February

Union leaders and council chiefs are meeting to try and avert a strike in a row over how workers' pay bands are being restructured.

About 20,000 workers at Birmingham City Council have voted for the industrial action after the authority announced a pay review.

Union leaders said that in the worst cases individual staff could lose up to £18,000 a year under the plans.

The council has said 45% of its workers will get a "considerable increase".

The first strike, which could affect all council departments, is scheduled to go ahead on 5 February.

Union officials said they hoped the meeting on Wednesday morning would be productive.