MAGISTRATES court workers across Worcestershire will strike next week, following the breakdown of talks between their union and managers.

The Association of Magisterial Officers (AMO) says it feels forced into taking the unprecedented step after negotiations with the reconciliation service ACAS stalled.

Talks took place last month and another bout had been scheduled yesterday, but the union pulled the plug.

A ballot had already been held in favour of strike action and dates proposed for staff to down tools in Droitwich, Kidderminster and Redditch before the AMO postponed the action and agreed to go to ACAS.

"We had a local consultation after the first round of talks with ACAS and our members felt we hadn't made as much progress as we'd liked," said Nick McCarthy, the union's assistant general secretary.

"So we decided there wasn't any point in continuing. Therefore we're going to hold a strike next Tuesday."

The dispute is linked to the provision of two new courts, one in Worcester and one in Kidderminster.

Staff based at Droitwich and Redditch will transfer to work in the new buildings, which have been paid for by private money. The private sector will manage the courts.

Mr McCarthy said the union shared other public sector workers' unhappiness at the involvement of private companies, but denied this was the root of the strike action.

"We're concerned with more mundane issues such as travelling expenses for staff who are transferring, early retirement costs and redundancy pay," he said.

Staff are not due to turn up for work at Worcestershire courts until 1pm on Tuesday.

No one was available for comment from the West Mercia Magistrates Court Committee, to give the employers' viewpoint.