PLANNED strikes by Unite members at Stagecoach Merseyside were suspended today as workers prepare to vote on a new pay deal. 

The walk outs, originally scheduled for today and Monday, were called off after an agreement on wages was reached between bosses and the union.

Regional officer Dave Roberts said: “Following a significantly improved offer from Stagecoach, Unite has suspended the two forthcoming one day strikes in order to ballot its members on the new offer.”

But if workers reject the deal, “all-out continuous strike action,” due to begin on Wednesday July 20, will go ahead as planned, the union warned.

Approximately 370 staff based at the company’s Gilmoss depot are involved in the dispute, which began with a one-day walkout on July 4. 

Strikes by more than 650 Unite bus workers in West Yorkshire were also suspended earlier this week as “an act of good faith” ahead of new pay negotiations.

The Arriva employees, who launched strike action on June 7, are paid £9.78 an hour — just 28 pence above the minimum wage, according to the union.