Glass manufacturer Ardagh has welcomed the decision by unions to put the company's new pay offer to its members and believe the offer will be accepted.

 

Staff at the Ardagh plant in Monk Bretton had been due to strike throughout this month and into September in a dispute of over pay.

 

But the action was cancelled after the workers were offered a 5.5 per cent pay rise, brought in over two years.

 

A spokesman for Ardagh said: "We welcome the outcome of week-long discussions and believe that our two year offer will be positively received by the workforce.

 

"This is a sensible decision, which enables us to continue to work in partnership with our employees, as we make significant investments to maintain growth and long term employment."

 

The offer came after talks between unions Unite and the GMB and the management.

 

Voting will start on Monday and the ballot closes on September 2.

 

The pay offer is for a three per cent pay rise between February 2013 and January 2014 - of which two per cent is to be backdated for February to July and the additional one per cent to be paid from August 1.

 

There will be a further two-and-a-half per cent rise to be paid from February 2014 to January 2015.

 

The package also includes a commitment to a review of committed shift working, including reducing the level of committed shift working at all sites.

 

Ardagh Glass employs about 400 people at its Monk Bretton site, and made £65 million in pre-tax profits last year. Unite deputy regional secretary for Yorkshire Tas Sangha said strikes scheduled to last until September 9 would be suspended while members considered the offer.