CLEANERS for the TransPennine Express have suspended strike action after receiving an improved pay offer including pledged talks to develop a roadmap for reaching £15 per hour.

The deal for the workers employed by contractor Bidvest Noonan also includes more money backdated in the first year and an agreement to implement a “living wage” of £12 an hour from November. 

RMT has backed the offer which also contains staff travel facilities which will save cleaners £1,000 a year for rail travel and suspended plans to walk out on Friday.

General secretary Mick Lynch said: “Our members’ fortitude and resilience in standing up for themselves has forced their employer to make this new offer.

“They will now have the opportunity to decide in a referendum whether they want to accept the new offer.

“Once again, this shows the threat of strike action is a vital tool for every worker to use in their workplace.”

The train company and contractor have been contacted for comment.