Industrial action planned on the Metrolink network for later this week has been cancelled after workers agreed to a new pay offer today, Tuesday.

According to Unite, Metrolink workers will now receive a "substantial" pay rise, with workers at the bottom of the pay scale in the customer service department gaining a minimum 14 per cent over the next three years.

Those working at the top of the pay scale will receive a minimum of nine per cent. 

The new deal also means that the time it takes for full progression along the pay scale is now shortened to 12 months from three years.

Unite says the deal has also shortened the progression time in the driving department by one year, meaning it now takes three years for a driver to receive full pay rather than four.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a hard-fought and well-deserved pay award for Metrolink’s workers.

"The initial pay deal was well short of their expectations and by standing together as a union, and with the threat of strike action in the mind of the employer, they have negotiated a vastly improved deal.

“Once again this shows Unite does what it says on the trade union tin – winning improved pay and conditions for our members time and again."

Keolis-Amey, who operate Metrolink under a Transport for Greater Manchester contract, have been approached for comment.

Drivers, engineers, business support and customer service staff had been set to strike from Thursday, July 25 to Saturday, July 27.

The dates would have affected visitors to Peter Kay’s stand-up comedy, UFC 304 and Manchester’s City Centre Day.

It was estimated that nearly 200,000 people would visit Manchester in the three-day strike period.

Unite members wanted guarantees of above-inflation rises over the next three years due to accepting less than inflation (RPI) last year and a reduction in the pay progression scales within the drivers and customer service roles.

The staff said they were "furious" at the pay structure - which was labelled "toxic" - within the driving department with new employees being made to wait up to four years to reach the top of their pay scale, despite holding the same responsibilities and roles.

Unite managed the Metrolink workers' pay negotiations and have more than 600 members within the company.