Menzies Distribution has seen off the threat of strike action after making an improved pay offer to its 300 drivers and warehouse staff.

The workforce voted to approve the pay offer by “a significant majority”, according to union Unite, preventing widespread strike action which would have included two 24-hour strikes on the 23 and 26 September as well as a continuous overtime ban.

The pay dispute, which threatened to cause major disruption to newspaper deliveries across the UK, arose following a pay change implemented by the operator in April this year, which saw workers receiving £7.25 an hour – 5p more than the national living wage.

The removal of extra pay and time off for bank holiday work was a major point of contention, according to Unite.

Unite national officer for the graphical, paper and media sector Ian Tonks welcomed the deal.

He said: “Our members have accepted the improved offer by a significant majority. This victory shows what can be achieved when working people stand together in solidarity.

"The threat of industrial action has now been withdrawn and our members are working normally.”

Terry Dunning, operations director at Menzies Distribution, said: “We’re pleased that the union members within our workforce have voted to accept this deal, and happy that we can turn our collective focus back to delivering the best possible service for our customers.”

The deal will come into force with immediate effect, benefitting workers across Menzies’ distribution centres across the UK.

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