Royal Mail and union leaders have come to an agreement after a bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.

The Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) and the postal service announced they have come to an agreement in a joint statement on Saturday.

Royal Mail said it had reached a negotiators’ agreement in principle with the CWU, with more details expected to be confirmed next week.

The statement said: “After almost a year of talks, Royal Mail and the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) are pleased to announce they have reached a negotiators’ agreement in principle.

“The proposed agreement will now be considered by the executive of the union before being voted on by the union’s membership.

“An announcement on the detailed content of the proposed agreement will be made when it is ratified by the union’s executive committee. It is expected this will take place next week.”

Royal Mail workers staged a series of walkouts last year, including in the run-up to Christmas.

CWU general secretary Dave Ward and deputy general secretary Andy Furey said: “We have reached a negotiators’ agreement with Royal Mail group.

“The CWU postal executive will now meet and consider the agreement on Monday and Tuesday and we are putting in place plans to brief representatives across the union’s structures.

“On the basis that the negotiators’ agreement is endorsed by the postal executive, we will put in place a full communications plan to engage members.

“Thank you for your support and patience. It has got us to this point.”

Earlier this month the CWU leaders pulled back from announcing fresh strikes by Royal Mail workers.

At the time, Mr Ward said the union’s leaders did not believe more strikes were the right thing to do but there might come a time when more industrial action is called.

Acas director of dispute resolution Kate Nowicki said: “Following constructive Acas talks, we are pleased to have helped the CWU and Royal Mail reach a proposed agreement.

“I want to thank the parties for their commitment and patience in Acas talks that allowed us all to find a positive way forward.”