A strike at an award-winning Basildon firm was averted after workers and bosses agreed a new pay deal.

More than 250 shopfloor workers at York International had threatened to down tools for four days from Friday as part of a wage dispute.

Union bosses yesterday met bosses at the Gardiners Lane firm, which exports air-conditioning worldwide, in a bid to avoid a strike and come to terms.

It was announced at the end of the day that an agreement had been reached.

Workers had demanded four months back pay after a new pay settlement was reached last month, and had objected to a new shift being added to the rota.

A union representative, who asked not to be named, confirmed the back pay would be paid and a new shift agreed on.

He added: "Nobody wanted to go on strike and lose money, and everybody seems quite happy the strike is out of the way. Hopefully, we can now get back to work and do what we've got to do."

York International was unavailable for comment earlier today.

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