In brief

Local government pay

After two very successful days of strike action in July, Unison and Unite's leadership have agreed to talks with the employer, in spite of no new pay offer being made. The unions have issued a statement saying that "nothing [is] ruled in or out" during negotiations and commits the unions to "a full review of the national conditions of service."

Unison and Unite members are furious about this decision and many branches are discussing resolutions demanding the decision be reversed. It was made with no consultation with branches or regional committees, so a campaign for special conferences is also being built.

5% pay deal

Negotiators for ASLEF and RMT members working for train company London Midland will recommend acceptance of a 5%, no-strings, one-year pay deal to members which will be backdated to 1 April 2008 if agreed.

Bristol schools

A campaign against a major shake-up of Bristol schools is hotting up. A demo on 19 July showed the anger of parents and teachers about the council plans to close or amalgamate primary schools. Many suspect the plans are more to do with releasing land for development than improving children's education.

A full report is on the Socialist Party website www.socialistparty.org.uk

Argos

The employers have made a further offer on pay, so the planned strikes have been suspended pending further negotiations.