A STRIKE at leisure centres, parks, libraries and other leisure services across Blaenau Gwent planned for today has been called off after the employer made an improved pay offer to workers.

Union members working at the Aneurin Leisure Trust, which has run facilities and services in the borough since 2014, voted for industrial action last month in a row over pay.

But now the unions have said the organisation has come forward with a "much more favourable pay offer".

That offer involves:

· a 1.5 per cent pay rise, backdated to April 1, 2018 up to September 30, 2019.

· an increase to two per cent, backdated to October 1, 2018, for the remaining financial year.

Union members will now vote on the improved offer.

Unison regional organiser Rosie Lewis said: “Workers at Aneurin Leisure haven’t had a pay rise for more than two years.

"They were fed up with low wages and they decided to take a stand and do something about it.

“The pressure of their overwhelming vote for strike action forced the employer to concede a much-improved pay offer which will now be considered by staff.

“The employees’ inspiring stand of solidarity shows when you stick together with your workmates you can make things happen. You are not powerless.

“We’ll be recommending acceptance of the improved pay offer and we look forward to a more positive working spirit with the employer in future.”

In a statement, a spokeswoman for Aneurin Leisure Trust said: "Aneurin Leisure met with ACAS and the Joint Trade Unions on Monday, November 5, which resulted in a revised offer by the Trust to reach a positive outcome to the current pay dispute for 2018/19.

"Formal notification has been received from the joint Trade Unions that the industrial action scheduled for 7th November has been withdrawn."