Strikes on West Midlands Metro won't go ahead today
West Midlands Metro has suspended all remaining strike action this week after workers received an improved pay offer.
Members of the union Unite were due to stage a strike from Monday to Friday over what they called "poverty pay".
A vote will now be held for West Midlands Metro staff to decide if they accept the new offer.
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.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Metro said the strikes have been suspended as an "act of good" to allow workers to take part in the ballot.
However, if members choose not to accept the improved pay offer strike action will continue.
In a statement, Unite's West Midlands 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."
The statement comes just hours after West Midlands Metro workers announced an all-out strike for the end of November.
Employees claim they receive "poverty pay rates" compared to the salaries of other metro workers in other UK cities.
A one-off payment has been offered to Metro workers, however, they called it "insulting" and have requested a £5,000 pay rise, but will vote on a new proposal by the government.
The all-out strike action is due to begin on Monday 28 November if no terms can be agreed between all parties.
It is likely to cause severe disruption to commuters and shoppers in Birmingham throughout the Christmas period.
In September, West Midlands Metro announced they will strike for 53 days around the festive period in a dispute over their wages.
Workers were set to walk out for almost two months from Saturday 15 October 2022 until Saturday 5 January 2023 if they did not receive an improved pay offer and accept it.