Action is due to be taken by many public sector employees

Tom McCabe said he was exploring options for finding an equitable and fair way of resolving the dispute.

Across the UK, more than 80% of union members balloted voted to go on strike in protest at planned alterations to their pension scheme.

The action centres on changes to a current early retirement scheme.

'Rule of 85'

A total of eight unions representing council workers balloted their members and the results were decisive.

The unions said the strong majority favouring industrial action reflected the anger and frustration of their members against what they see as a government attack on their pensions.

The dispute has arisen over a plan to end the so-called "rule of 85".

This allows council employees to retire on a work pension from 60 onwards if their age and years of service add up to at least 85.

Amongst those being balloted for action are staff at Scottish Water, Lothian Buses, the Forth and Tay Bridges, the fire and rescue services and police support staff.

'Scottish solution'

Joe Di Paola, Unison's head of bargaining in Scotland, said members north of the border were very angry.

The Scottish Executive had said the retirement scheme breached European law, but the unions dispute this.

A similar decision to end the rule has been taken by the UK Government, which is also facing opposition.

However, Mr McCabe told BBC Scotland he was talking to the unions and was sympathetic to the workers' case.

He said he was hopeful of reaching a "Scottish solution" over the dispute.

The minister added: "Obviously with regard to any European directive there can be objective justification for not entirely applying that directive.

"We're looking to see if there can be any objective justification found and I await a report from our legal advisers."

Union leaders have warned that stoppages are already being planned, with a rolling programme of industrial action at regional and national level.