BARBOUR workers will return to work today after winning a “significantly improved” offer during talks at conciliation service Acas.

The Gateshead jacket makers, who walked off the job following forced changes to their contracts, accepted the deal that sees substantial increases in pay and day shift working for those with family and caring responsibilities, their union Unite said late yesterday.

Barbour had given warehouse workers a “sign or be sacked” ultimatum over changes that included the removal of the unsocial hours payment and the introduction of a requirement to work until 11pm.

But four days of strike action in December and one week into a four-week stoppage, bosses agreed to talks at Acas.

Unite regional officer Fazia Huassain-Brown said: “A majority of members have accepted this improved offer which sees increases in pay and day shift working for those with family or caring responsibilities.

“This hard-won outcome would not have been possible without the resolve of the workers who faced being sacked if they didn’t sign up to inferior contracts.

“They stood up in the face of an employer who sought to ride roughshod over their rights and won significant concessions.

“We trust that we can now move forward with the employer in a spirit of co-operation and ensure the Barbour brand continues to be a global success story.”