Council workers get lump sum as strike called off

Unite the Union said last-gasp pay talks had been successful

Strike action involving about 100 council workers has been called off following last-minute pay talks.

Housing repair officers at Sandwell Council had planned 14 days of strikes starting on Monday.

The Unite union said an agreement had been reached at the last minute, with workers expecting a one-off boost to wages this month.

Sandwell Council declined to comment.

Carpenters, bricklayers, plasterers, roofers, plumbers and painters working for the local authority had been due to walk out on a series of dates over the next two months.

Following negotiations, workers will receive a one off payment of £2,703 later this month.

The lump sum, called a market supplement, is designed to compensate staff for working in the public sector.

The council previously said housing repair officers were part of a vital service ensuring more than 28,000 council homes were maintained.

Walk-outs would have taken place on 5, 9, 12, 15, 19, 23 and 26 February and 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18 and 22 March.