Southampton City Council claims “some progress” was made today in talks to resolve industrial action in the city.

Delegations from the council and unions today held nine hours of talks in the city through the mediation service ACAS. They broke up this evening without an agreed deal.

In a statement council leader Royston Smith said: “Southampton City Council is determined to bring an end to this industrial action and negotiate a way forward with trade unions.

“Some progress has been made at today’s negotiations with Unite and Unison, and the council has offered to clear its diary for the next week to continue this progress.

We believe that the negotiations have not been exhausted and we very much hope that unions agree to continue finding a way forward.

“During nine hours of discussions we have put forward a number of ideas, including the possibility of formally reviewing any changes to terms and conditions, in consultation with the unions within two years.

“In offering to continue negotiations next week we have made it clear to unions that if sufficient progress is made we would be prepared to withdraw the dismissal notices.”

Both the Unite and Unison unions declined to comment on the talks which were adjourned after 6pm, saying an announcement would be made tomorrow afternoon.