Strike action closed Aberdeen schools two weeks ago

The staff, who mainly work in catering and cleaning, have agreed to await a detailed offer from their employer on backdated bonus payments.

About 50 schools in Aberdeen were forced to close a fortnight ago after the staff held a 48-hour walkout.

However, at a meeting on Tuesday staff agreed to suspend the next 48-hour stoppage, planned to start on Thursday.

'Best deal'

The staff claim they are owed money because of equal pay legislation.

The council was proposing to give out £13.5m in retrospective pay to about 2,000 staff, claiming it was the best deal offered by any local authority in Scotland.

But the union insisted its members were due a better settlement.

Senior council officials and representatives of the T&G union have agreed to send letters to each individual worker outlining clearly the amount the council is prepared to give in backdated bonus payments.