Up to one million council workers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are set to go on strike again over low pay.

The next walk-out is scheduled for 14 August and another in September. They follow a mass strike on Wednesday, the first since 1979.

Council workers picketed outside council offices

Council employees want double the 3% pay rise they have been offered.

Representatives of council employers said there were no funds available for such a pay rise - but they have now said they are willing to go to the conciliation service ACAS.

After a meeting in London on Friday the employers' representative Brian Baldwin, said these ACAS talks could cover a two or three year deal.

He added: "Employers have always been prepared to be fair and reasonable. Our discussions today offer a way forward. I hope the unions respond positively."

Jobs affected

School catering Caretakers Classroom assistants Social workers Library staff Architects/surveyors Refuse collectors

GMB general secretary John Edmonds welcomed "this first sign of movement from the employers... they should stop playing around and sit down with us to serious talks".

Some of the workers involved in the strike action earn less than �10,000 a year in full time posts.

They say they have seen their responsibilities rise, while pay has effectively stood still.

On Wednesday, picket lines were set up outside council offices and buildings and marches and rallies were held in towns and cities around the country.

More than 1,000 workers packed Birmingham's Chamberlain Square in support of the strikes and in Sheffield 23% of city council staff took part.

In York the industrial action resulted in the closure of three city car parks and 11 schools and in Cardiff more than 60 schools remained shut.

Unions said emergency cover was provided for sick and vulnerable people despite the action.

'Intimidation'

Local authority employers say the unions' claim for a pay rise of 6% is equivalent to �80 a year on council tax bills and is therefore unaffordable without substantial job losses and cuts in services.

They also say most workers do not want to strike - claiming only 25% of those eligible to vote backed industrial action, while many staff do not belong to any union.

But unions have hit back by accusing councils of "widespread intimidation" of workers ahead of the strike.

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 the walkout.

Conciliation service Acas has been briefed by both sides about the dispute and is keeping in "close contact" with them, a spokesman told BBC News Online.