VITAL talks to get Huddersfield gritting crews out on the roads were under way last night.
Council officials were meeting union leaders in a bid to sort out a dispute which threatens to stop much of the gritting operations on Kirklees roads during the winter.
More than 50 drivers who normally provide the gritting service across the whole of Kirklees throughout the winter are angry at a change in their pay structure.
Members of the union Unison claim they would no longer be paid for loading and travelling time, even though they have to work in the early hours.
Their reaction has been to refuse to sign up to a rota for gritting crews.
The talks began yesterday evening with senior council officers.
Council leader Clr Mehboob Khan said the talks would continue until there was a settlement and said he was hopeful of an agreement.
