The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) had been due to take action against Arriva Trains Northern but is recommending acceptance of a 4% pay offer.

But commuters still face disruption on 29 May because another rail union is planning to go ahead with its planned two-day walk out.

The Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) has already rejected the 4% offer.

I am extremely pleased that we have been able to reach a position with the TSSA that enables them to put our offer to members

Ray Price, MD of Arriva Trains Northern

Arriva has now written to directly members of the RMT, asking if they will reconsider.

TSSA negotiations officer Steve Coe said: "I believe that the company's offer is the best deal that can be achieved, given the fact that the franchise is in its last few months."

Ray Price, managing director of Arriva Trains Northern, said: "I am extremely pleased that we have been able to reach a position with the TSSA that enables them to put our offer to members."

Station and retail staff who belong to the RMT will still start their strike from 2100 BST on 29 May.

Mr Price said: "We can understand their frustration and therefore have extended the offer direct to our employees so that they can choose for themselves.

Solid support

"We are not undermining the union by making this move. However we recognise that our conductors, station and retail staff are losing money every day they strike.

"The strike action is having an intolerable effect on our customers and we share with them, and many others across the north of England, a frustration that the disputes are continuing."

The letter has been sent to station and retail staff and to RMT conductors, who are planning to stage two one-day strikes next month in protest at the 4% offer.

The RMT has already staged a series of strikes against Arriva, claiming solid support from its members for the action.

The RMT is angry that Arriva has given drivers an 18% wage increase, while it claims other staff have been offered a much lower rate.

Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT, said the company had already tried to undermine the union with a previous appeal to staff, which had only revealed the "depth of anger" among workers.

He said: "The company has behaved like bullies throughout this dispute, but no amount of browbeating can disguise the fact that the offer is unacceptable."