Planned strikes by UK firefighters have been postponed after employers put forward an increased pay offer.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) had planned to announce dates for strike action after more than 80 percent of its members who voted in a ballot in December backed industrial action.
But the union said on Thursday that it has been offered a 7 percent pay rise backdated to July 2022, and then 5 percent from July this year.
Union officials will now put the new offer to a ballot of its members, and has postponed the announcement of strike dates pending the outcome.
FBU General Secretary Matt Wrack said: “This offer is testament to the power of collective action through the Fire Brigades Union. Last year we were offered an insulting 2 percent. The employers have now revised their position….