The threat of binmen striking in Brighton and Hove looks to have been averted.

A dispute between workers and Brighton and Hove City Council broke out last month when staff refused to work one of the bank holiday catchup days.

It was the culmination in a series of arguments between staff and bosses at the Hollingdean depot, leading to union representatives threatening a ballot for industrial action.

But The Argus can confirm that after a number of meetings between bosses and union representatives, an agreement could be signed by the end of next week.

Mark Turner, of the GMB, said: “We have got ongoing meetings and are confident that an agreement will be reached by ourselves and the council which will benefit the workforce and residents while protecting frontline services.”

The dispute came about because workers are angry at changes to their bank holiday pay agreement and the removal of a refuse wagon from the service.

They claim that both of these decisions were taken by managers without consultation with staff or union representatives. Another issue is the number of agency staff employed at the depot in Hollingdean while full-time posts remain unfilled.

It is thought the agreement will see the restoration of the withdrawn service and some guarantee of permanent jobs for agency staff.

A council spokesman said: “We’re constantly talking to staff and unions about keeping the service working in a way that maintains the current high satisfaction ratings reported by residents.”