An early years worker strike planned to take place this month has been suspended to “allow constructive talks to continue.”

Early years workers employed by North Lanarkshire Council had planned to go on strike on four days in September over proposed redundancies.

In a joint statement, North Lanarkshire Council and the unions Unison, Unite and GMB, said they had now agreed to “work on a renewed effort with respect to the early years’ workforce.”

The council and the unions said: “We are committed to enabling a mutually agreed outcome which will continue to support and engage our employees within the service.”

North Lanarkshire Council said it was considering new proposals which will enable Early Learning Practitioners who would prefer to stay within the early years’ service to be redeployed to a suitable alternative post.

It said meetings with Early Years Practitioners will continue to be held and all supports will be provided to ensure individual requirements can be considered within the proposed options.