Members voted two to one in favour of the deal, which will result in a 2.49% pay increase on minimum rates. The BPIF national council has also greenlit the agreement, which will come into effect on 24 April.

In February, Amicus and the BPIF agreed on a 6.38 wage increase for craft/class 1 employees.

"The agreement is very important to Amicus members as it provides for a minimum pay increase for 2006," said Amicus assistant general secretary Tony Burke. "We will be contacting all our branches to make sure that members get the increase."