The council said it wanted pay talks to continue

Talks between the union and management broke down on Thursday.

Unison said a deal on compensation for mainly low-paid female staff was close to being settled, but the council pulled out.

Moray Council said in a statement it was keen to continue talks and also focus on national discussions.

The council and union have been in discussions over the introduction of the national single status pay scheme, aimed at bringing salaries into line with equal pay legislation.

Union spokeswoman Emma Philips said: "Management advised us that they were no longer making the offer to settle equal pay settlements in the way that we had agreed.

Single status

"We're very disappointed that this is the case because we had spent a long period negotiating this.

"As management have decided that they are unable to provide us with that settlement we are going to litigate against them."

Unison said it was taking the first steps in lodging tribunal claims.

Moray Council said it was keen to find a solution and ongoing national discussions also had to be taken into account.