A planned strike by Sandwell binmen has been called off following emergency talks with the council, it was announced today.

Workers from both Unite and GMB unions were set to walk out  within the next 10 days in a row over pay, but have now called off the industrial action following negotiations with Sandwell Council.

Members of Unison voted not to take part in the strike.

More than 80 binmen were due to talk part in the walkout, scheduled to start before April 8.

The binmen were balloted on a possible strike following the introduction of new paybands as part of Sandwell Council’s controversial single status deal.

Unions claim some members are losing out on around £4,000 a year since the introduction of the new wages in January 1.

However, the planned strike has now been postponed, after council leader Councillor Darren Cooper promised to speed up the appeals process for refuse workers.

Peter Clews, spokesman for union Unite, speaking on behalf of all three unions confirmed the decision today.

He said: “We have met with Sandwell’s Council leader and officers and have agreed to suspend industrial action while we exhaust the internal appeals process.

“We believe we have a real chance of resolving this dispute.

“Legally action has to take place within 28 days of a ballot, which gave us until April 8.

“We are now extending this until the appeals have been heard.

“We have been assured that all the appeals will be dealt with as a matter of urgency and are expecting decision by April 16.

“We will then discuss the situation with our members – although we will not need to ballot again.”

Council leader Darren Cooper who met with representatives of all the unions on Friday said today he does not believe the strike will take place.

He said: “I don’t believe that the workers want to go on strike, but they needed a bargaining tool.

“There are internal processes that they need to go through and we have agreed to speed up the appeals process.

“The unions have made their point and ensured there will be further dialogue.”

Although both Unite and GMB voted in favour of a walkout, Unison members voted against the strike.

The local authority employs more than 130 refuse collectors and there were fears rubbish could build up on the borough’s streets had the strike gone ahead.