The planned bus service strikes from Monday, April 25, have been suspended as Translink workers consider a new pay deal.
The strikes had originally been scheduled from Monday to Sunday May 1, which would have affected the Belfast City Marathon, as well as school services.
Unions had been asking for a 6% pay raise, but had previously been offered 3% by Translink, with a new offer made following further discussions.
Read more: Translink statement ahead of strike action next week
Translink welcomed the developments and said they would now await the decisions from the unions' deliberations.
“We have an agreement to defer the planned strike action commencing Monday, April 25, while the bus drivers are balloted on a revised pay offer following further negotiations," a spokesperson said.
“We welcome this positive step and thank the Unions for their commitment to working together in an effort to build back public transport as a sustainable and better future for all.”
Peter Macklin from the GMB trade union, which represents around 500 workers said they would consider the new offer.
“As a result of those talks and the revised offer made by the employers, workplace representatives in both unions have decided to defer next week’s planned action and ballot the members," he said.
"We will make public the results of that process as they become known.”
Unite's Davy Thompson said the roughly 1400 members represented by his union would also discuss their next steps.
“The strike action planned by both Unite and GMB bus drivers would have resulted in the cancellation of all bus services across Northern Ireland from next Monday.
"Ahead of that eventuality the unions and employers engaged in direct negotiations on the issue of pay.”
Read more: Northern Ireland schools and other public services facing strike disruption after Easter
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