THREE days of strike action scheduled by North-East bus drivers has been called off after a revised pay offer was made.

Members of the Unite trade union employed by Go North East were due to walk out on Friday (MARCH 14), Monday and next Saturday.

However, following lengthy discussions between the company and the union on Thursday night, union members have agreed to a new ballot on the revised pay deal.

The revised offer consists of three parts - a two per cent increase backdated to July 1, 2012; a further 0.5 per cent from April 1, 2013 and a final two per cent from July 1, 2013.

Go North East said the increased offer would be funded through productivity improvements which would be the subject of further negotiation.

Martin Harris, the bus company’s commercial director, said: “We’re very pleased that the trade union has decided to suspend its industrial action.

“We believe the offer to be better than has been agreed in any other major bus company in the region and represents a good deal in the current economic climate.”

The result of the ballot should be known on March 26.