SCOTS workers have scrapped strike action which would have crippled a glass plant where millions of bottles are produced for the wine and spirits industry.

The decision to abandon industrial action was taken after 11th hour negotiations res­ulted in management executives tabling a new and improved pay offer.

Ardagh Glass agreed to stump up thousands of pounds more after 250 workers at their site in Irvine, North Ayrshire, and three other plants in Yorkshire, had threated two 24-hour strikes planned for yesterday and Saturday as well as an overtime ban.

The combined workforce of 1300 had turned down a two-year pay offer worth an extra 5.5%.

Workers, who are ­believed to earn around £15 an hour, claimed the company could afford to give them more after running up pre-tax ­profits last year of £65million.

Management has since tabled an improved 6% offer.

Union official Tas Sangha, of Unite, said: "Unite will be recommending to its members that they accept this offer.

"In essence, more of the pay in year one will be backdated and an ­extra 0.5% has been added for year two.

"In the meantime, all industrial action and overtime bans have been called off."

An Ardagh spokesman said: "We believe this is a sensible decision, which enables us to continue to work in partnership with our employees, having made significant investments in the longer term to maintain growth and long term employment."

Unite is now balloting members on the ­revised pay offer.

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk