A STRIKE planned by county council staff next week has been suspended following a breakthrough offer during talks over pay.
The public sector workers, including social workers, who work for Hampshire County Council were due to take part in a second one-day walkout on Wednesday, August 14, following a one-day stoppage last month.
But the next strike was suspended on Monday night after union bosses struck a deal with councils which will mean that some council workers could see as much as a ten per cent pay increase.
Under the deal pay of most employeesÕ pay will be increased by three per cent, backdated to April.
A further one per cent increase would be implemented in October followed by a an extra 3.5 per cent in April 2003.
And on top of this a minimum rate of £5 an hour for workers will be introduced which will mean that the lowest paid could see their wages increase by around ten per cent over two years.
The unions will now be recommending to their members that they accept the new deal.
A joint union statement said: ÒWe believe that the proposals represent a fair deal for local government employees and a strong platform to end low pay and unequal pay.
ÒIf they are accepted it will bring an end to this dispute.Ó
The consultation is likely to last six weeks and all industrial action has been suspended during this time.