Employees in the council department held 24 hours of industrial action in August after 86.4% of the union’s members voted for strike action.

According to Unite, the dispute followed a series of detrimental changes being imposed by the council to the terms and conditions of the union’s membership in the local authority’s roads department. The changes include a reduction in pension accrual as a result of cuts to pensionable overtime rates, and the removal of paid travel time.

However, in a joint statement issued today, the local authority and Unite said a deal has been agreed following “constructive negotiations”.

Tracey Logan, chief executive of Scottish Borders Council, and Willie Thomson, Unite regional officer, said: “Scottish Borders Council and Unite the Union are pleased to confirm that following a period of constructive negotiations we have reached an amicable solution regarding the dispute within our roads service.

“We believe this positive outcome will ensure that the council and its workforce will continue to provide a high level of service to our communities.”