STRIKE action by some of the region's refuse collectors moved a step closer last night.

Collectors in Redcar have been served with dismissal notices by the borough council, which wants to re-employ them under new contracts, which could see them working during the evenings.

Earlier this week, union officials announced nearly 100 per cent support for the proposal of strike action, and yesterday union members met to discuss their next course of action.

It is understood that unions plan to tell the council today that a series of one-day strikes will begin on November 20 and an overtime ban will be enforced. So far, more than 4,000 residents in the borough have signed a petition supporting the refuse collectors.

John McDade, of Unison, told the meeting: "We don't want to inconvenience the public too much. The public are fully behind us, let's keep it that way."

Tim Bush, regional industrial organiser for the TGWU, said: "The level of the action was above what we expected and it shows the mood the workers are in."

Councillor David Walsh, leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council, said: "The council's position has been that we have made a number of concessions over the last few months.

"We have to have the principle of flexible working to meet public expectations. We will study the arrangements for dealing with these stoppages if it occurs and obviously we would rather it didn't occur.

"The doors are still open to discuss this.