Birmingham Connexions staff strike called off for talks

A strike by 180 Unison members has been called off after plans for compulsory redundancies at Birmingham's Connexions youth careers service were suspended.

The deputy leader of Birmingham City Council said in September that despite a 17% cut to the service's budget the council would not close Connexions.

Union leaders called off the half day strike minutes before it was due to take place on Thursday lunch time.

Unison union said the threat of compulsory redundancy had been put off.

It is estimated that 66 of the 279 posts in Birmingham would be lost due council budget cuts.

Tony Rabaiotti, from Unison, said: "We've had productive talks with senior managers from Connexions and councillor Tilsley and they have agreed to put the compulsory redundancies away for the moment, pending talks next month."