AA strike is called off

The threat of AA patrol staff going on strike for the first time in the association's 105-year history has been lifted after new proposals were put forward to end a row over pensions.

The organisation said talks on changes to its pension scheme led to a withdrawal of a planned strike over the May bank holiday weekend while members of the Independent Democratic Union were balloted.

The AA said it wanted to keep its defined-benefits scheme open, adding that changes were needed to maintain viability. Andrew Strong, the chief executive of AA Services said: "We are pleased that talks are taking place". Alistair Maclean, national secretary of the IDU, said he was confident agreement could be reached.