Grave diggers, refuse collectors, parks workers and street cleaners employed by Alliance Environmental Services (AES), which runs services on behalf of Staffordshire Moorlands and High Peak councils, had been due to walk out next week.

They were unhappy about working for little more than the minimum wage, but have now been asked to vote on a ‘significantly improved’ multi-year pay offer, Unison said.

Strikes could be back on if the offer is rejected.

Unison East Midlands regional organiser Matt Dwyer said: ‘AES staff do similar jobs to their colleagues directly employed by the two councils.

‘But they aren’t treated the same. Unsurprisingly, they aren’t terribly happy about this.

‘But the threat of strike action has thankfully led to an improved pay offer that should, if accepted, end the dispute and boost staff pay.’