A strike by drivers and warehouse staff at the Motherwell site of logistics giant XPO Logistics (formerly Norbert Dentressangle) has been suspended after last-minute negotiations between the company and union Unite.

Almost 90 staff at Motherwell, including around 70 truck drivers, were poised to undertake a 48-hour strike from 2pm today (28 January) after XPO tried to impose changes to the rates of pay and time in lieu arrangements for staff working on the New Year bank holiday (Monday 4 January).

The strike was called after two attempts to resolve the matter at arbitration and conciliation service Acas and following a ballot in which 92% voted for strike action and 100% for action short of a strike, on a turnout of 65%, said Unite.

Unite regional officer Stephen Deans told Motortransport.co.uk that after returning to the negotiating table, XPO yesterday agreed not to impose the planned pay and time in lieu changes this year. In exchange the union agreed “to sit down with an open mind and a willingness to reach agreement for the future”.

The agreement will be put to Unite members in a fresh ballot before the end of next week.

The current pay and time in lieu arrangements for the Motherwell site have been in place for many years but differed from those nationally “because of the different culture towards the January bank holiday in Scotland”, he added.

A spokesman for XPO Logistics declined to comment save to say it was "pleased" the industrial action had been called off.

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