Industrial action by workers at Tata Steel has been temporarily suspended so a new offer on pensions can be considered.

Members of four unions at the steel giant banned overtime and launched work-to-rule action early on Tuesday morning in protest at plans to close their final salary pension scheme. A 24-hour strike is due to be held next Monday.

Unions said that during talks at the conciliation service Acas, and continuing dialogue with the company, negotiators secured a new offer which they said means the pension scheme would remain open.

Community’s national executive agreed that the company had shifted its position to a sufficient extent to temporarily suspend industrial action and take steps to consult members on the revised offer.

Consultation will begin with a meeting of senior union delegates from across the company on Friday.

Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of Community said: “It is good that Tata Steel has finally seen sense, participated in the meaningful discussions that we have been calling for and changed its mind about closing the scheme.

“We were always prepared to consider proposals which would help overcome the current challenges faced by the scheme and we knew that could be achieved while keeping the scheme open and recognising the importance of maintaining a good final salary pension. This dispute isn’t yet over but through meaningful discussion and negotiation we have made some steps towards finding a resolution.”