Tom McCabe urged council workers to suspend the action

The one-day walkout comes after a row over the age at which workers can retire on a full pension.

Finance Minister Tom McCabe said a compromise was possible and it would be in the interests of workers and the general public to call off the strike.

But unions said there was no firm offer on the table.

Age discrimination

The controversy centres on plans to scrap Rule 85 - which allows scheme members to retire without penalty from the age of 60 if their age and experience add up to at least 85.

Mr McCabe said the executive's view remains that Rule 85 breaches EU rules on age discrimination.

Unison, the largest public sector union, has raised judicial proceedings in England in order to test this position.

Mr McCabe said if the courts decide that Unison's position is correct, the executive would back this.

At the present time there's no firm offer or proposal which would allow us to consider our position Matt Smith Unison

But even if the courts go against the union, Mr McCabe accepted this would create a "anomalous situation" for staff affected, compared with other public sector schemes such as nurses and teachers.

He said: "We will therefore, in conjunction with the trade unions, earnestly seek ways to offer a solution.

"We cannot guarantee at this point how many local government workers such a solution would cover, but I can confirm that we will examine the option of offering transitional protection for all existing members.

"These are complex matters and the search for an affordable and sustainable solution cannot be rushed."

Public sector

But Matt Smith, secretary of Unison in Scotland, said: "He seems to be saying that he wants us to call off the strike action because of the prospect of a discussion in Scotland.

"But at the present time there's no firm offer or proposal which would allow us to consider our position."

Pat Watters, president of local government organisation Cosla, said the strike was against central government.