"Our members' rock-solid action has had a devastating effect on Merseyrail services on five strike days, and shows their absolute determination to win the 35-hour week they have been waiting for for four years," RMT general secretary said today.

"Merseyrail have now agreed to break the impasse by dealing with the question of the 35-hour week in line with other pay and conditions issues for guards, rather than in the general pay negotiations.

"The company has set aside three days for intensive talks on this issue, on June 23, 24 and 27, and as a result, after consulting our reps, the RMT executive has suspended this Friday's action to allow those talks to proceed.

"I should, however, make it quite clear that further strike action is still scheduled for July 9, and will go ahead if there is no satisfactory outcome to those talks," Bob Crow said.

ends

Notes to editors: Merseyrail guards have held five strike days, on April 8 and 9, March 25 and May 21 and 28. This Friday's action has been suspended, but action is still scheduled for July 9, pending the talks' outcome.

Members voted by a margin of 20 to one to strike after rejecting unacceptable strings that would have seen members paying for their 35-hour week by losing rest days. The company's most recent offer was also rejected, by a margin of eight to one.