Staff threatened industrial action over the pay shake-up

The issue took the council to the brink of industrial action last month.

The council withdrew letters sent to about 2,000 workers warning that they faced pay cuts of between �1,000 and �20,000 under the new legislation.

Unions have now informed their members that no way forward could be agreed. The council hopes to continue discussions to resolve the deadlock.

Formal dispute

The T&G union said it was not being given information to which it was entitled.

It has lodged an official dispute notice with the council on behalf of its members.

Union official Tommy Campbell said: "Our shop stewards met last Wednesday and had a full report from our convenors, following which it was decided to register a formal dispute with the employer by way of a failure to agree notice.

"We insist that all the information the employer has is provided, in line with terms of national and local agreement.

"The ball is now in the council's court."

He added that the joint secretaries of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla) and the union would now be meeting to discuss the matter.

Aberdeen City Council was not available for comment.