The Translink bus strike which was due to commence tomorrow has been called off following last ditch talks.
The GMB Union has said that planned industrial action which was due to start on Tuesday, May 17, until Monday, May 23, have been suspended as a gesture of goodwill.
It was feared the strike could bring Northern Ireland to a standstill for seven days.
Read more: Commuters and school pupils scramble to make plans for next week's Translink bus strike
Translink have today offered a revised pay deal to workers and the strike action will no be suspended until it is voted on.
Peter Macklin, GMB Regional Organiser, said: “After last ditch talks, Translink workers now have a revised pay offer.
“As a gesture of goodwill, industrial action has been suspended until workers have voted on the new offer.
“If they accept it, the strikes would be cancelled completely.
"But if they turn it down, GMB will meet with members immediately to discuss new strike dates.”
Translink has said that it is pleased that it has been able to reach an agreement with unions in order to avert the industrial action.
A Translink spokesperson said: “Following a meeting with the Union officials today, we have structured a revised offer that acknowledges their concerns over increasing inflation and the cost of living while also supporting wider business needs.
“We welcome this constructive engagement with our unions.
“Preventing this industrial action has been of the utmost priority for the company. We are pleased to have found a way forward that will enable us to build back public transport for a more sustainable and better future for all”.
A Translink spokesperson said: “Following a meeting with the Union officials today, we have structured a revised offer that acknowledges their concerns over increasing inflation and the cost of living while also supporting wider business needs.
“We welcome this constructive engagement with our unions.
“Preventing this industrial action has been of the utmost priority for the company.
“We are pleased to have found a way forward that will enable us to build back public transport for a more sustainable and better future for all”.
Newly installed Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd welcomed the suspension of strike action, calling it “good news”.
“While I fully recognise and respect the rights of trade unions to take action on issues that matter to them and their members, I am pleased that an agreement has been reached to avoid strike action this week.
“Public transport services are a very important part of every day life for our citizens and I am pleased that the disruption to those services has been averted. I commend all sides for their hard work in reaching this agreement.”
Read more: Translink strike action 'back on' after members reject pay offer
Read more: 'Complete shutdown' of bus services to start at the same time as A-Level exams
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