THE spectre of a second one-day stoppage by hundreds of Bury Council workers has been lifted.

It follows a deal thrashed out at national level this week by town hall bosses and leaders of three unions, Unison, GMB and the TGWU.

Prior to the successful conclusion to the crucial talks on Monday (Aug 5), local authority staff had planned a second national one-day strike for next Wednesday (Aug 14).

However, union bosses have now endorsed a two-year deal worth 7.8 per cent. And the package also means a minimum £5 an hour rate for the lowest paid.

The improved offer means that most of the town hall staff will receive rises of around three per cent, back-dated to April, with another one per cent this October and a further 3.5 per cent in April next year.

Council staff had walked out on a day's strike on July 17, crippling many local authority services. They had earlier rejected a three per cent pay increase.

The unions had been demanding a six per cent pay rise or £1,750.

Mr Steve Morton, Bury's Unison branch secretary, said: "We now intend to consult our membership on the offer." There are almost 3,000 Unison, GMB or TGWU members working for the local authority.

He added: "Bury branch, along with all other local government branches, has been requested to consult those members who would directly benefit from any pay offer. The branch is hoping to do this by way of a local consultative ballot."