THERE is fresh hope of new talks today to end strike misery in Southampton.

Unions have not issued notices of further strike action next week in a signal that negotiations could reopen with the council in a bitter dispute over pay cuts.

The council said it had been actively seeking fresh direct talks to end two months of industrial action by up to 2,400 union members.

It has left rubbish spilling on to the streets of the city following a series of walkouts by bin men and street cleaners among hundreds of other workers.

Council leader Royston Smith said last night: “There have been no new notices of strike action. We intend to have some talks soon.”

Talks through the mediation service ACAS collapsed in stalemate three weeks ago.

Around 4,300 council workers this week signed-up to new contracts under threat of dismissal cutting their pay and conditions.

Unions have vowed to campaign to restore the pay cuts of between two and 5.5 per cent unless they can reach a negotiated deal with the council.

The council says the cuts will save 400 job.

Nearly one thousands council worker and trade unionists protested ahead of a council meeting at the Guildhall on Wednesday.