Royal Mail staff in the Communication Workers Union have agreed to a new deal.

Workers at Royal Mail have backed a new three-year deal which brings a long-running dispute between the firm and unions to an end.

Staff voted two to one for the agreement, which sees them given a pay rise of almost seven per cent over the next three years.

The deal also includes clauses to do with voluntary redundancies, flexible working and staff retention.

Commenting, deputy general secretary of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) Dave Ward said: "This was a strong ballot result for a strong deal and we're delighted that our members have fully supported this hard fought for agreement."

Disagreements between the CWU and Royal Mail led to widespread strikes across the UK at the end of last year, with the pre-Christmas period particularly affected.

Royal Mail welcomed the acceptance of the new deal, which it says will allow it to continue with modernisation plans it argues are vital for the survival of the firm.

Posted by Tom Sands

Article Added: 28/04/2010 09:35:42