Crunch talks are set to take place on Monday (January 17) between Carmarthenshire road gritters and the local authority.

The talks take place after gritting staff downed tools on January 5 and 6, with council staff picketing at depots across Carmarthen (pictured).

Gritting staff are expected to down tools again next week between January 18 and 21; and again between January 24 and 28.

Unless an agreement is reached, it could mean that Carmarthenshire’s road network remains ungritted for two weeks.

GMB union has accused Carmarthenshire County Council of playing ‘Russian roulette’ with residents’ safety over the strike.

The Union has criticised the authority’s ‘reckless behaviour’ after residents were told last week, that arrangements were in place to ‘ensure the safety of travelling residents’.

The dispute follows on from action taken two years ago that saw the introduction of the comprehensive collective agreement between the union and the authority.

Peter Hill, GMB regional organiser said: “We’re pleased the council has come back to the table.

“Let’s be clear, the council can resolve this dispute by honouring the agreements that they already signed with us two years ago.”