The current strike threats, centred on the reform of public sector pensions, need to be sorted out round the negotiating table, according to John Rider, regional chairman of the Institute of Directors.

Mr Rider said union leaders in the West Midlands had real influence at national level and a good record of working with employers to solve problems.

He called on the Government to "remain steadfast" on deficit reduction but urged them to enter genuine negotiations. 

People were living longer and the private sector had been through the painful process of scaling back final salary pension schemes. Now the public sector must follow as their schemes were unaffordable in their present form.

"Strikes do no-one any good," said Mr Rider. "The economic recovery is fragile and we do not need to further damage business confidence and delay the creation of jobs in our region - both sides should take a realistic approach for the longer term economic prosperity of our nation."