Red Funnel says it has presented an offer to Unite the Union, around three weeks after strike action started on its Isle of Wight ferry routes.

The cross Solent operator says it means walkouts in coming days have been cancelled.

Services have been disrupted between Southampton and the Isle of Wight since the end of July, with the East Cowes vehicle ferry route hardest hit.

Unite argues its members undergo sea training and are responsible for passenger safety, are often away from home for days at time and are only paid the hours they work onboard the ferry, with no overnight subsidies provided for food or other expenses.

Speaking last month, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Pay and out of pocket expenses are so bad at Red Funnel that staff are using food banks to survive.

"It’s horrendous, especially when [Wightlink] workers doing the same jobs on the same stretch of water earn nearly £4 an hour more."

Today (Monday), Red Funnel's chief executive, Fran Collins, revealed an offer had been made, following discussions over the last seven days.

She said: "As a lifeline service, it has been essential that we considered the sustainability of the business throughout our discussions, during a period of rising fuel costs and the post-pandemic recovery."

Her statement said it meant scheduled industrial action on tomorrow (Tuesday, August 23) and on Friday, August 26 and Monday, August 29, had been called off. 

She said the offer would be presented to its members, with the results of a ballot due next week.

The County Press has asked Unite the Union for a comment.

Ms Collins said: "We are fully committed to doing all we can to ensure maximum travel choice and connectivity for island residents, visitors and businesses, promoting the long-term success of the Island economy."