Bromley library workers met with their employer for negotiations having voted to renew their strike unanimously.

Representatives from Unite, Britain and Ireland's largest union, entered talks with Greenwich Leisure Limited in a bid to resolve the dispute over pay and staffing, which has now entered its sixth month.

Negotiations are ongoing, with staff recently voting by 100 per cent to continue strike action from Monday November 25.

Speaking before the meeting Unite regional officer Onay Kasab said: Unite regional officer Onay Kasab said: “Our members, who have shown great courage and resolution over many months, have once again sent a very clear message to GLL by voting 100 per cent to support the campaign to defend jobs and the library service.

“We will meet with GLL management tomorrow (Wednesday) in what will be the most important negotiations so far.

“We will be entering these talks in the spirit of open and constructive negotiation. This is now one of the longest running industrial disputes of recent times and tomorrow presents a real opportunity to work towards an agreement. We will play our part and invite GLL to do the same.

“Our members have renewed their mandate for strike action from 25 November which will mean a continuous, indefinite strike into the new year – we wish to avoid this by reaching a fair settlement this week for our members and the Bromley public who are such avid users of the library service.”

A total of 50 workers across 14 libraries in Bromley remain on strike.

Unite says GLL bosses are not filling vacant posts, asking staff to be managers without paying the proper rate and failing to pay what is owed.

A spokesperson for GLL said: "GLL have met with Unite this week with the intention of bringing their strike to an end.

"The restructure proposals will create a more customer-focussed operation backed by the full potential of 21st Century information technology, with Council investment in the library service ongoing.

"Our proposed Optimal Staffing Structure sees some posts reduced as we move staff from back offices into libraries.

"In the past we have been able to deliver change in library structures through natural wastage and voluntary redundancies.

"GLL's not-for-profit charitable social enterprise is an experienced libraries operator.

"Where we partner with local authorities to deliver public library services, investment and innovation increases, libraries stay open and customer visits increase - as they have in Bromley since the transfer to GLL."