The strike by Albert Heijn distribution centre workers is being halted from Thursday as unions and employers return to the negotiating table.

The FNV and CNV trade union federations accepted an invitation to restart the talks on Wednesday night. The unions suggest that the company has offered a pay rise of more than 10% and has torn up plans to reduce the pay and conditions package for new workers.

Strikes at the  Zaandam, Zwolle, Geldermalsen, Pijnacker and Tilburg distribution centres involving some 1,500 workers have now been called off but it is unclear when the talks will resume.

Albert Heijn supermarkets in many areas have ended up with empty shelves because of the strike, with fresh fruit and veg, and the dairy sections particularly hard hit.