Kirklees Council has suspended the threat to sack and re-engage its staff on new terms and conditions. This comes after Unison members voted by 73 percent to strike in an indicative ballot.
Some 1,400 jobs are under threat. Now it hopes to tie the unions into talks in the hope that the anger mellows.
While the talks take place union leaders need to inform members of what is going on and to oppose any backdoor attempts at cuts.
Kirklees Council should use its £88 million reserves and £44 million balances to sustain services and protect wages and conditions.
Unison must be ready to ballot immediately if talks break down.