The Communications Workers Union CWU has voted means of an 87 per cent majority to accept BTs three-year pay deal price 9.3 per cent.

CWU deputy general secretary Andy Kerr up~ the body a CWU web site posting said, CWU members backed this pay deal with a strong majority.

It was a very hard set of negotiations including a vote for strike action and the deal provides stability and security during the term of both staff and the company, added Kerr.

The dispute had rumbled forward for months, with CWU members balloted for strike action earlier in May, in response to BTs earlier offer of two per cent and guaranteed bonuses betwixt £250 and £500.

Over 50,000 BT CWU employees self-reliance get a three per cent pay rise backdated to 1 January 2010, that they will see in their August payslips.

There will be a three for cent, fully consolidated and pensionable increase to base pay from 1 January 2011 and every extra three per cent increment from 1 January 2012, the CWU related.

However, should the November 2011 retail price index rise above 3.2 through cent or drop below 2.5 per cent, then the couple sides agree to meet and to discuss the impact of this and look to agree an optimum position, said the CWU.

The CWU is besides in dispute with O2, and a ballot on CWU negotiations through the Spanish telco Telefónica-owned mobile operator closes forward 19 August.

CWUs employees in O2, numbering about 3,000, devise be voting on a 2.5 per cent pay increase this year, followed means of 2.75 per cent in 2011.