Industrial action by North Sea workers in a dispute over pay has been suspended to allow fresh talks.

Workers employed by the Wood Group on Shell platforms have launched a series of strikes in protest at plans to cut pay.

Mick Cash, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union, said in a message to members: “Following further discussions with the company I am pleased to announce that Wood Group have agreed to stop the implementation of the current proposals to allow fresh engagement and talks.

“As a result of this welcome development your National Executive Committee has decided to suspend all industrial action in this dispute to allow these discussions to take place. Therefore members must work normally.

“Talks will begin next week which we hope will bring about a satisfactory resolution and I will keep members informed as matters progress.”

A later statement issued jointly by Wood Group and the Unite and RMT unions confirmed the talks will start next week.

It read: “All parties recognise that the challenges we are facing in the North Sea are both real and serious and there is acceptance that change is required and will happen.

“These fresh talks will allow all parties to bring ideas to the table and provide opportunities for employees in particular, along with unions and management, to contribute to a mutually successful outcome and demonstrate leadership in shaping the future of the North Sea.

“We believe that this collaborative approach to addressing the challenging and well-publicised situation in the oil and gas sector is the best way for us to resolve this current dispute and contribute to creating a sustainable model for the North Sea.”