PLANNED strikes by glassmakers at Pilkingtons in St Helens have been suspended following an improved pay offer.

Union Unite has confirmed today that industrial action has been postponed.

Strikes due to take place between August 17 and August 23 have been suspended to allow the workers to vote on the new offer.

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If the offer is rejected, further strike action by more than 170 workers – including production operators, warehouse staff, engineers and technicians – would be scheduled, Unite says.

Unite regional officer Richard O’Brien said: “In sign of good faith, Unite has suspended strike action at Pilkington and will be balloting our members on the new offer.”

Pilkington, which was founded 1826, is owned by the Japan-based Nippon Sheet Glass (NSG) Group.

Strike action had been announced on Monday this week after an initial pay offer had been rejected, which Unite claimed amounted to a pay cut in "real terms" due to rates of inflation.

A spokesperson for Pilkington UK, said: “We welcome the decision by the unions to suspend strike action to allow colleagues the opportunity to vote on our offer.”