HOPES of averting a strike, which could have involved Jobcentre staff and civil servants in Swindon, have risen after a breakthrough in a dispute with the Government over pensions.
Ministers offered a "fresh start" in dealing with the controversy and promised unions that the Government would revoke changes to the retirement age due to come into effect on April 1.
Unions will meet over the next few days to decide their next move but it looks likely that a planned 24-hour walkout next Wednesday will not go ahead as planned.
The action will save the Government the embarrassment of a outbreak of industrial action just weeks before a possible General Election.
In Swindon, where council workers were said to be angry about the changes, the dispute could have lead to scenes similar to those in 2002 when a one-day strike over pay closed many council services.
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