Encirc – one of the leading wine, beer and spirits bottle fillers in the UK – has agreed a pay increase for staff at its Bristol site, halting plans for an industrial strike.

As part of the new deal, pay will go up by 4.4%, as well as a 1% rise in pension payments, backdated to January this year.

Additionally, overtime wages will increase, and there will be upgrades to the redundancy and sickness policy.

The firm also ended its plans to implement a pay policy that does not increase pay above the CPIH rate, according to union Unite.

An Encirc spokesperson commented: “We are pleased a settlement has been reached. Throughout the short period of industrial action, our contingency plans ensured there was no interruption to our production or supply chain demands.”

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Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary said: “This is an excellent result for our members at Encirc, who, by being prepared to take strike action, have secured far better pay and conditions.”

“This result shows how Unite’s laser-like focus on jobs, pay and conditions delivers for our members.”

John Sweeney, Unite’s regional officer added: “This was a vitally important dispute, as not only have members secured an improved pay deal but ensured they can continue to fully negotiate in the future.”