A DAVIS Cup tie in Glasgow went off without threatened "chaos" today despite a walk-out by arena staff.

The Unite union had warned of "the potential for chaos" as it urged bosses to get round the table with representatives over a bitter pay dispute.

Members picketed outside the venue for the high profile event as action began inside.

However, the industrial action did not throw the tournament – billed as the "world cup of tennis" – off its mark.

The contest, which pits Great Britain against Uzbekistan, began with two singles matches and will continue into doubles tomorrow, which will feature Jamie Murray.

The action concludes on Sunday, with Andy Murray absent from the courts as he recovers from hip surgery.

In the morning Unite's James O'Connell issued an eleventh hour appeal to the board of Glasgow Life, which operates tournament venue Emirates Arena.

But the city council body did not immediately respond to prevent the strike from going ahead.

The row centres around pay allowances for set-up and de-rigging duties at the venue, which regional officer O'Connell says have been received at other sites under Glasgow Life's control.

He said members are "entitled" to the cash, commenting: "They actually received it at Kelvin Hall for doing the same work. When they moved to the Emirates they stopped receiving that payment."

Describing the strike as "absolutely unnecessary", he criticised the board of the arm's-length external organisation (ALEO), saying: "They left us with no option."

And dismissing Glasgow Life's offer to turn to mediation service ACAS, he went on: "The internal structures within Glasgow Life have not been exhausted.

"That's all we are requesting, that the internal structures within Glasgow Life are maintained and we have the opportunity to present to the board."

Glasgow Life declined to comment.

However, as the strike loomed on Wednesday, a spokesperson said: "The action being taken by Unite is wholly unnecessary and we agree that dialogue is needed to reach an agreement.

"That’s why we have repeatedly offered to go to the arbitration service, ACAS, to find a suitable resolution that works for all – yet Unite continues to refuse to do so.

"In the meantime, the Emirates Arena will remain open and operate as normal this weekend and there will be no disruption to the Davis Cup.”

At the time, O'Connell stated: "Unite has been left with no option but to take strike action to try to bring Glasgow Life to the table.

“This should not be how industrial relations are dealt with. The only way to reach agreement is through dialogue.

"The board have shown intransigence on this issue and a blatant disregard of our members' concerns. They are apparently burying their heads in the sand in the hope that this issue will go away – it will not.

“Unite would be prepared to call off Friday’s strike, halting any disruption that may be caused to spectators and players of the Davis Cup, if the Glasgow Life Board gives a written commitment to meet with union representatives.

"Failing that, the strike will go ahead.

“The ball is firmly in their court.”

The move comes as the council braces for a potential strike by thousands of women workers over the lengthy equal pay dispute.

A ballot returned on Wednesday saw majority support for a walk-out which would affect schools, libraries, care homes and more.

Glasgow City Council accused unions of “putting vulnerable people at risk” but unions say compensation is overdue.

An estimated 10,000 women have live equal pay claims against the authority dating back around a decade.

A council spokesperson told the Evening Times payments will be made, stating: "The council has committed to make an offer in December, which it will do, and we are committed to discussing the component parts of that offer prior to that."