Refuse collection workers in South Tyneside have called off the first of three weeks of industrial action due to start today.
The strikes were announced after South Tyneside Council suspended the GMB union workplace representative.
The local authority said ‘open dialogue' had allowed the week of strike action to be called off, but an agreement on the other two weeks has not been reached.
A wider dispute over bullying allegations has been ongoing for almost nine months, and the council expects it will take ‘some weeks’ to get through the waste backlog.
The GMB still has two ‘dispute’ ballots in place for this year, but the council said it now hoped to end the row for good.
South Tyneside Council said: ‘We've got an action plan that gives all parties a constructive way forward and we are already delivering on key areas like re-balancing the collections routes, improving PPE, increased engagement, and improved communication.’
The GMB has been contacted for comment.
