A second ballot on industrial action at the Manchester Evening News has been cancelled, with union members and management there coming to an agreement over shift patterns at the paper.

The result of the second ballot had been due yesterday, but the results will not be declared after new guidelines were agreed which National Union of Journalists members say will see subs working between 40 and 60 evening shifts per year.

They had earlier feared that staff would be required to work more than 80 evening shifts per year following changes to edition times – prompting the ballot.

But the union says it has now accepted an improved offer which means although members must sign up to a flexible working deal, management has agreed to the use of volunteers and the implementation of departmental working arrangements.

Anyone working up to 9pm will receive a £20 dinner payment, and those working to 11pm will get £25. Any journalist who does clock up more than 80 evening shifts a year will also earn another £5 per shift.

MEN deputy father of chapel Eric Jackson told HoldtheFrontPage: “The vote (to accept the deal) was not unanimous, but it was fairly close.

“We have reached a compromise that all parties are not entirely happy with, but are happier than they would have been.”

MEN editor Paul Horrocks said: “I’m glad they have called off the ballot and we have found a solution.

“What we now have is the flexible working needed to produce a paper overnight and during the day.”

A ballot for industrial action was suspended in February after compulsory redundancies were avoided when the company cut 27 editorial posts.