BUS drivers are to vote on a new pay offer – after threatening to strike in Huddersfield on Monday.

The First drivers will vote on an improved offer after a bitter 11-month pay dispute.

The new offer was made after five hours of talks yesterday between Unite union officials and First managers.

Now the union will put the offer to the 188 drivers who work out of Huddersfield bus station.

The ballot will take place next week and that means the planned 24-hour walkout which could have taken place from 3am on Monday has been cancelled.

Drivers had voted 129-16 in favour of eight one-day strikes in a postal ballot.

The dispute centres on a pay award which was due in May 2010.

The union said the original management offer was with conditions which would effectively mean extra driving time on top of the 37-hour week currently met by the drivers.

But yesterday a revised offer was made although details have not been revealed.

A spokesman for the drivers said it was hoped the new offer could be accepted.

In addition to the driving, the drivers are allowed time to set up the buses for journeys and to pay in the money they take in fares.

The drivers earn anything between £7.48 and £10,25 per hour.

Negotiators from Unite’s regional office in Sheffield have been in talks with both union members in Huddersfield and with managers from First.

A First spokesman said: “A new offer has been tabled with the drivers’ representatives and that will now be put to the staff”.