Tube cleaners' strike called off

Union leaders hailed the deal as a "massive breakthrough"

Hundreds of Tube cleaners due to strike on Thursday in a row over pay and conditions have suspended their action following an improved deal.

More than 700 Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union members working for four subcontractors were to start a 48-hour industrial walk out.

But managers promised to pay workers the London Living Wage of £7.45 an hour, up from £5.50 an hour.

Union leaders described the last minute deal as a "massive breakthrough".

Workers on Metronet contracts will receive the London Living Wage from the beginning of September.

Employees working for Tubelines will get an initial 60p an hour increase from 1 September, and a further £1.30 hourly increase from 1 April 2009.

RMT leader Bob Crow said: "That is a massive improvement on the prospect presented by the mayor of having to wait for contracts to be re-negotiated, which would have left some of our members waiting until 2012."