FITNESS instructors have put a pause on their decision to strike after council bosses offered them an improved pay off.

The industrial action, which had been due to begin on Wednesday, was pulled at the last minute after talks between Colchester Council and Unison.

Representatives met with council leaders on Tuesday, before suspending the strike whilst instructors consider the improved offer.

Currently, aerobics instructors are paid an hourly rate of £22.50 by Colchester Council, whilst yoga and Pilates instructors are paid £25 per hour.

The strike was threatened after staff said they had not received a pay rise since 2015.

The union has said it will now consider the improved offer, though the details of the proposed increase have not been disclosed.

Gazette: Facility – yoga teachers and pilates instructors run their classes at Leisure World and are employed by the councilFacility – yoga teachers and pilates instructors run their classes at Leisure World and are employed by the council (Image: Newsquest)

The offer is expected to be put to teachers and instructors today.

Emma Aboubaker, Unison’s regional organiser, said: “Instructors have been really flexible but this should not come at the expense of their own financial and personal well-being.

“The strike pause will allow them to consider the improved offer and determine their next moves.”

Pam Donnelly, the chief executive of Colchester Council, said: “Following constructive discussions with UNISON, we have put forward an improved pay offer, which is currently being considered by members.

“We are hopeful that this offer will be accepted and that strike action will be permanently averted.

“We are committed to working collaboratively with UNISON to reach a mutually beneficial agreement that is fair to our employees and sustainable for the council.”

Gazette: Pay – yoga instructors say they have not received a pay rise since 2015Pay – yoga instructors say they have not received a pay rise since 2015 (Image: Pexels)

Melinda Harrison, who is 63 and has been a fitness instructor for the past ten years, said she is now hopeful of a resolution.

She said: “There are some people who have been here for 30 years and have had a £2.50 pay increase.

“I love my job and I don’t want to cause any problems there, but there comes a point [where you have to do something] and for us it was the increase in the cost of living – that’s what made me decide this is something that needed to be fought.

“For a lot of people, these classes are hugely beneficial to their mental health too.”