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A "significantly improved pay offer" has been accepted by dock workers at the Port of Liverpool.

More than 500 people employed by the Peel Ports Group will receive a 4.5% rise backdated to June 1, 2021, Unite the union has confirmed.

The union added it was a "major improvement" on the 2% offer that was originally made.

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Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "This is a noteworthy deal which not only addresses pay issues but also improves conditions for Unite’s members.

"Unite is totally committed to defending the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and other port operators need to take note that attempts to undermine the pay of our members will be totally opposed."

In addition to the pay increase, as part of the deal brokered by Unite the º£½ÇÊÓƵ’s leading union, workers will receive:

• An increase on night allowance backdated to June 1
• Sixth or eighth shift paid at double time, backdated to June 1
• Introduction of group company sick pay
• Introduction of long service awards, backdated to June 1
• Introduction of benefit schemes including discounted gym membership and critical illness cover
• Commitment to review shift patterns by June 1, 2022

Unite regional officer Steve Gerrard added: " This is an important settlement which met our members expectations and which not only dealt with pay but other workplace issues that Liverpool dockers had demanded needed to be addressed."

The union also said: "The deal is highly significant as it will put additional pressure on other º£½ÇÊÓƵ port operators to follow suit. Despite ports recording extremely high levels of activity other major º£½ÇÊÓƵ port companies, including Forth Ports and PD Ports, are trying to implement wage freezes or force workers to accept very low pay increases, which amount to a pay cut in real terms."