The dispute between Royal Mail and staff represented by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) has officially come to an end after months of bitter exchanges.

Members of the union have voted by 67% to accept a deal with Royal Mail that was reached in April.

The CWU had recommended members accept the deal. More than 115,000 postal workers held a total of 18 days of strikes between September and December last year, demanding higher pay and better working conditions as rising inflation eroded earnings.

Under the agreement, staff will get a 10% rise over three years and a one-off lump sum of £500, though the union had initially sought an annual increase in line with the rate of inflation – currently running at 8.7%.

The deal also includes later starting times for deliveries which, Royal Mail said, would respond to greater demand for next-day parcels, improve quality of service and create greater growth capacity.

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New seasonal working patterns and regular Sunday working, sought by the company, were also agreed. Royal Mail said this would allow it to grow its seven-day parcels business and adapt to changing customer demands.

A win for the CWU was the promise of an independent inquiry into suspended or sacked workers and reduced use of agency workers.

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While industrial action has concluded, ill will between the union and Royal Mail remains.

The head of the CWU, Dave Ward, said the near year long period of negotiating and industrial action has been “the most challenging period in both the history of the union and the company”.

“Many workers simply do not trust Royal Mail group because of the company’s lack of integrity and the way they are being treated.”

Acceptance of the deal will not mean a scaling down of union activity, Mr Ward said, nor is it an “endorsement” of Royal Mail actions. “This result will be the start of the union reconnecting in every workplace”.

The bitter dispute involved the union calling for the resignation of chief executive Simon Thompson and Mr Thompson saying the company was loosing £100m a day during strike action.

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