The improved offer came after talks in Leeds that finished in the early hours of the morning (Friday 9 August) between Unite, the country's largest union, the GMB union and the management under the auspices of the conciliation service Acas.
The workers at the sites in Barnsley, Doncaster and Knottingley in Yorkshire and at Irvine, Ayrshire will start voting on the offer on Monday (12 August). The ballot closes on Monday 2 September.
Earlier this week, Union Unite called on the management to hold talks before the strikes began, to negotiate "a meaningful and fair pay settlement".
The pay offer is 3% between February this year and January 2014 –2% will be paid between February and July and the additional one per cent from 1 August. There will be a further 2.5% between February 2014 and January 2015.
The package also includes a commitment to a review, facilitated by Acas, of 'committed' shift working, including a commitment to reduce the amount of committed shift working at all sites.
'Improved pay offer'
Unite deputy regional secretary for Yorkshire Tas Sangha said: "The talks concluded in the early hours of this morning and the improved pay offer and the review of 'committed' working will now be put to a ballot of our members.
"While our members consider the company's offer, the series of strikes that were scheduled to start today and due to run until 9 September are suspended.
"Unite would like to thank Acas and its personnel for their hard work in helping to broker this package overnight."
Welcome outcome
An Ardagh spokesman said: "We welcome the outcome of week-long discussions and believe that our two year offer will be ??positively received by the workforce.
"This is a sensible decision, which enables us to continue to work in partnership with our employees, as we make significant investments? ?to maintain growth and long term employment."
