The remaining strikes scheduled for this week on the West Midlands Metro have been suspended following an improved pay offer.

Unite had previously announced an escalation in the long running dispute, with members due to begin all-out continuous strike action from Monday 28 November.

Acas meeting

Following the announcement of an all-out strike the employers requested an urgent meeting at the conciliation service Acas and an improved pay offer was made.

Unite, the UK’s leading union, will now ballot its members at the West Midlands Metro on the new offer. As an act of goodwill the strike action planned for Wednesday–Friday this week (16-18 November) has been suspended to allow the ballot to go ahead.

Improved offer

Unite regional officer Sulinder Singh said: “Following an improved pay offer being made today (Tuesday) at the conciliation service Acas, as an act of good faith, Unite has suspended the strike action that was scheduled for the rest of this week.

“Unite’s members will be fully briefed on the latest offer and balloted on it.”

Strikes scheduled

If the latest offer is rejected then the strikes scheduled for next week and beyond including the all-out strike action will proceed as scheduled.

ENDS

Notes to editors

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235 or 0203 371 2067.

Email: [email protected]

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.