Councils have been accused of "widespread intimidation" of workers ahead of this week's planned national strike by 1.2 million staff.

The Transport and General Workers Union said workers across the country were being threatened with privatisation, redundancy, pay and pension cuts and disciplinary action if they joined Wednesday's walkout.

But union officials said there would still be solid support for the pay strike in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Jack Dromey, national organiser of the TGWU, said it was "immoral" for councils to intimidate low-paid workers who would be striking in protest at a 3% pay offer.

The more councils menace, the stronger becomes the determination of their employees to take a stand

TGWU

Mr Dromey said the TGWU had polled its members with a "bullywatch" survey.

The union claimed dozens of local authorities had written to workers threatening privatisation and job losses.

He said one council told its employees they were in breach of their contract by joining the strike - even though workers are protected in law against dismissal.

Another had allegedly threatened shop stewards with disciplinary action if they spoke to the local press, and another had told older workers that their pensions would suffer.

Appeal to government

The chairman of the Local Government Association, Sir Jeremy Beecham, denied the allegations.

He said it would be inappropriate for anyone engaging in lawful industrial action to be threatened with such sanctions.

Mr Dromey said the councils' tough tactics "will not work" anyway.

"The more councils menace, the stronger becomes the determination of their employees to take a stand."

'Bullying' accusations

Threats of privatisation and job losses Employees warned of breaching contract Workers threatened with disciplinary action for talking to press Older workers warned pensions would suffer Source: TGWU

Dave Prentis of Unison appealed to the government to release more money to local authorities to help resolve the dispute.

Mr Prentis said more money would have to go into wages if services such as health and education were to improve.

He told the BBC: "The pay is at the very bottom end within the economy... something has got to be done about this quickly.

"We need good quality staff in our schools - school helps, school cleaners, the dinner ladies. We need help for our elderly - social workers, home helps, meals on wheels.

"We need people to clean our streets and collect our refuse, and we've got to pay them decent wages."

6% 'too high'

Unison said its members were "very determined" to go through with the action because of the justice of their claim for a decent pay rise.

The union also warned that Wednesday's strike was just the start of a campaign of industrial action unless there was a serious attempt by the employers to settle the row.

We need people to clean our streets and collect our refuse, and we've got to pay them decent wages

Dave Prentis, Unison

The employers' organisation has said it cannot afford to meet the 6% pay demand, and has also warned of substantial job losses and cuts in services.

It has also suggested that most workers do not want to strike - saying only 25% of those eligible to vote backed industrial action, while many staff do not belong to any union.

Workers including school dinner ladies, caretakers, social workers, classroom assistants, library staff, architects, refuse collectors and surveyors will join Wednesday's strike.

Schools, libraries and leisure centres are likely to close because of the action.