WORKERS at Oxford Bus Company have agreed a settlement in their long-running dispute over pay and Christmas working, the country’s largest union said today.

A pay deal for the year, starting on November 1, 2016, and a lump sum to settle 2016 Christmas working issues were hammered out during the talks, aided by conciliation service, Acas.

The details of the package are not being disclosed.

Unite regional secretary Jennie Formby said: “I would like to thank our members for the solidarity they have shown during this dispute, which included strike action.

“By standing firmly together since the dispute started before Christmas, they have achieved a settlement that was accepted by a significant majority of the workforce.

“Unite now wishes to work constructively with the management to create an environment of progressive employment relations, with the aim of providing the best possible bus services for the people of Oxford.”

Phil Southall, Managing Director of Oxford Bus Company, said "We're pleased to say that after a series of constructive meetings, we have made a pay offer that has been accepted by the majority of Unite's members.

"We look forward to returning to the regular, constructive dialogue with Unite we've enjoyed in the past, so that we can continue to deliver the quality bus services the people of Oxford have come to expect."

Unite has nearly 450 members at the company, including drivers, maintenance staff and admin workers.