Workers at 2 Sisters Food Group factories in West Bromwich and Wolverhampton have accepted a new deal on pay and conditions, following a dispute that had sparked a one-day strike and the threat of future disruption.

Management and the trade union Unite hammered out the deal before Christmas, and workers voted overwhelmingly in favour of the agreement over the holiday period, said Unite.

The revised terms include an improvement in the proposed pay increase from 3.2% to 4.6% and an agreement to backdate the increase to 1 August 2012.

2 Sisters also dropped plans to charge workers £8 a week for parking at two sites in West Bromwich. It also agreed to introduce training on dignity and respect at work after Unite complained about an alleged culture of bullying.

“It is a very welcome result, but as always, getting an agreement is one thing - seeing it through is another,” said Unite regional officer Des Quinn.

The dispute resulted in one day of strike action on 14 December. Another strike planned for 21 December was called off at the eleventh hour after 2 Sisters and Unite agreed the revised deal.

“This brings to an end the current dispute and removes the threat of future strike action,” said 2 Sisters in a statement.

Discussions will continue between 2 Sisters and Unite on some of the details of the deal. On a proposal to introduce seven-day working, the union has agreed for a trial to take place in March at the Dial Lane site in West Bromwich.

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