UNION bosses were today considering a pay offer that led to the cancellation of a strike by train drivers.
The four-day walkout over pay and conditions across the southern rail network was dramatically called off yesterday after the new offer was made.
The industrial action had been due to take place from this Monday until Thursday after ASLEF union leaders and bosses of South West Trains failed to reach an agreement.
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Following more negotiations this week ASLEF has now agreed to consider other pay offers after rejecting the original proposal of a 4.5 per cent pay increase.
A South West Trains spokesman said: "We think a 4.5 per cent rise is generous enough already. We have given them different options to consider.
"This includes a pay deal covering a longer period of time rather than just for a year."
Chris Proctor, a spokesman for ASLEF said the union's executive would consider the latest undisclosed pay offer. If they think it is acceptable a ballot of the union's 800 members will take place at the end of April.
This could lead to either the deal being accepted by the union's membership or another strike.
Three quarters of South West Train drivers belonging to the ASLEF union, who typically earn about £36,000 a year, originally voted in favour of industrial action.
The union claims that SWT's drivers could earn about the same for working four days a week with rival operators.
If the strike did go ahead, it would mean misery for commuters to London.
SWT was going to use coaches and buses from its sister company Stagecoach to fill the void left by any rail services that would have been cancelled.
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