A METROLINK strike planned for next month has been called off.

The Industrial action involving more than 200 workers across the tram network has been averted for a ballot on a new pay offer.

Announced last week, the strike had been scheduled to take place between June 7 and 10 after being approved by 96 per cent of balloted Unite union members.

This would have coincided with the popular Parklife festival in Heaton Park which attracts thousands of music lovers to the borough every year.

Danny Vaughan, Transport for Greater Manchester’s head of Metrolink, said: “I am sure this will be a huge relief for all Metrolink passengers.”

He added: "It’s good news that a revised pay offer has been agreed between Keolis Amey Metrolink Ltd (KAM) and Unite officials, I am grateful for the efforts of all parties to reach this point."

The call off follows an intensive round of talks between Unite and KAM over the Bank Holiday weekend.

A new pay deal has been offered to Metrolink workers and Unite members are to be balloted on the proposals and recommended to accept.

The result of the ballot are expected by the end of this week.

Aline Frantzen, managing director at (KAM), said: “We concluded pay talks on Monday 27 May following extensive discussions and agreed a revised offer for each bargaining group involved – customer support, engineering and business support.

“This has been achieved through the tireless work of Unite representatives and KAM’s managers, with the support of ACAS, to deliver the best proposal for everyone.

“Over the next few days, KAM and Unite will endeavour to communicate all three offers to the relevant bargaining groups. Unite will put the offers to a vote through a workplace ballot, in which Unite has indicated they will strongly recommend it is accepted.

“In the meantime, Unite has agreed to suspend any industrial action to await the outcome of the workplace ballot.”

Unite regional officer Steve Davies added: “We won’t be revealing the details of the new offer until our members have had time to consider and vote upon them. The result of the ballot should be known at the end of next week.”