CARE workers in Southampton have settled their pay dispute which has seen them go on strike twice, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Union members - about two thirds of the workforce - have voted to accept proposals to phase out the antisocial hours payments over three years.

The issue has provoked three-day and one-day walk-outs and 130 grievances from staff after council chiefs decided to axe the payments overnight.

All but four of Southampton's City Council's 348 care workers signed new contracts under threat of the sack.

The revised wage protection deal was thrashed out between the council and union bosses to avert further industrial action.

It comes after the Daily Echo launched its Justice for Carers campaign to demand a fair deal for the carers who look after the city's most vulnerable residents.

Full story in tomorrow's Daily Echo.