Strike action, which could have seen thousands of local government workers walk out next week in Herts, has been suspended by union chiefs.

Unison, GMB and Unite members were going to man picket lines on Tuesday over a pay dispute, but the Local Government Association has put a new offer on the table.

Brian Strutton, GMB National Secretary for Public Services, said “It has proved extremely difficult to persuade the local government employers to agree new pay proposals for us to consult our members on.

“But now we have an agreed set of new proposals which we will consult on and while doing that GMB is suspending the strike planned for 14 October.

“We will issue more details about the consultation shortly.”