Strike action on the West Midlands Metro tram network which was set to run into early next year has been stopped after a pay deal was struck.
Members of the Unite union have accepted the deal which will see the salaries of existing tram crew with at least 12 months of service increase by 20.1 per cent by April. Fifteen per cent of this increase will be backdated to June.
New tram crew will see their wages increase by 13.7 per cent by April and all other grades of West Midlands Metro's staff will see their pay increase by 10.25 per cent.
In addition, the pay anniversary date, when pay increases are due to be paid, has moved from June to April. West Midlands Metro has also committed to a review of tram crew pay next summer.
Unite announced in September that it had balloted around 175 members over strike action in the row over pay and confirmed it planned 53 days of walkouts, running from October 15 until January 5.
Industrial action was suspended last week after West Midlands Metro went back to Unite with a new pay offer which was then put to the union's members to vote upon.
Unite had previously announced an escalation in the long-running dispute, with members due to begin all-out, continuous strike action from next Monday.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "This is a well-deserved win for workers who were prepared to take a stand against low pay and who, through standing together, secured a vastly improved pay deal.
"Unite is now entirely committed to fighting for the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and this victory for the West Midlands Metro workers demonstrates this strategy is delivering for union members."
Unite regional officer Sulinder Singh added: "This was a hard-won victory and it could not have been achieved without the commitment of Unite's reps and the dedication of our members at West Midlands Metro."
A statement from West Midlands Metro said: "We are pleased that union members have accepted our enhanced pay offer and called off any further industrial action.
"We are now looking forward to working together to provide the best possible service to customers as we head towards future expansion."
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