LOS ANGELES, U.S - THE union for striking Hollywood screenwriters said on Tuesday it has decided to spare next month's Grammy Awards from picketing that could dampen the recording industry's highest honours.

The announcement by the Writers Guild of America marked a surprise reversal from the union's previous stance that it would probably picket the Grammys show, which is scheduled for a live telecast on Feb 10 from the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.

No reason was given for the union decision, which came in a vote by the Writers Guild's board of directors, according to a union spokesman.

While the Grammys largely consist of musical performances and winners taking the stage to give acceptance speeches, much of the introductory remarks and banter by presenters are normally prepared in advance by union writers.

While the Writers Guild has yet to grant a special waiver of strike rules barring its members from working on the show, Tuesday's decision clears the way for the Grammys to go on without the spectacle of stars having to cross picket lines.

A number of high-profile Grammy nominees this year, including Justin Timberlake, Beyonce and Alicia Keys, also are members of the WGA's sister union for TV and movie performers, the Screen Actors Guild.

It was the threat of an awards boycott by SAG members that derailed the Golden Globe Awards, forcing organisers to scrap their traditional gala event in favour of a bare-bones news conference to announce winners.

The threat of WGA picketing still hangs over the film industry's most prestigious honors, the Oscars, whose organisers vow to go on with some form of their ceremony as scheduled on Feb 24.

Union leaders are expected to open informal discussions with studio executives this week in a bid to pave the way for official bargaining to resume following a deal reached last week between the studios and Hollywood directors.