First Manchester has confirmed that strikes due to take place on Friday 4, Monday 7, Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 February have been called off as the union ballots drivers on a revised pay offer.

The decision means that all First Manchester bus services will operate as normal.

The Unite union will ballot its 300 plus members on the new offer. If it is accepted, the dispute will have ended. If members reject the offer, strikes already scheduled for 15, 17, 18, 21 and 25 February will go ahead as planned.

Ian Humphreys, Managing Director of First Manchester, said: “We’re pleased that our latest offer is to be voted on and hope this will quickly bring an end to this dispute and the significant hardship it is causing to our customers and our colleagues and their families.”

Unite regional officer Dave Roberts commented: “In the spirit of goodwill, Unite has suspended its next four days of industrial action to allow its members to be balloted on the improved pay offer.

“From the beginning of this dispute, Unite has made clear that it believed it could be resolved through negotiations. Once First Manchester returned to the negotiating table with an improved offer progress was made.”

Strike action began last month in the dispute over low rates of pay. The industrial action has caused considerable disruption to bus passengers throughout Greater Manchester.

Customers with pre-bought tickets for any dates of industrial action will be given a refund or replacement tickets to use for future travel.

Further information can be found on the First Manchester website www.firstbus.co.uk/greater-manchester/news-and-service-updates/planned-changes/industrial-action-february