Ferry strike called off

Officers voted to accept the pay offer

Unions have called off the threat of strike action on ferry services to Orkney and Shetland.

The officers' union Numast had planned to take action during the summer in a dispute with P&O over pay.

But the threat has been lifted after its members voted by two to one to accept management's increased offer of a 2.5% rise.

The threat of disruption to services during the summer had been on hold since the union suspended action two weeks ago after receiving the increased offer.

A strike would have hit island services

Numast balloted its members after talks in Aberdeen led to the 2.5% rise being put on the table.

Officers had previously voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action after rejecting a pay offer of 2.1%.

They voted 48 to 12 to go ahead with the strike after a second ballot over pay.

The union was involved in a nationwide dispute with the ferry firm after officers throughout the UK voted in support of industrial action in June.