Officers will work fewer hours each week

The dispute involved a change to shift patterns for staff working in Scotland's jails.

The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) argued that the changes it was proposing would provide value for money for the taxpayer.

It also said more cash would be made available to speed up the end of slopping out for inmates.

However, the Prison Officers Association of Scotland (POAS) said the changes were not in the best interests of its members.

The situation came to a head in April when 14 of the country's 16 jails were affected by strike action.

Both SPS and POAS are bound by this outcome and will work closely together to support it

Scottish Prison Service spokesman

Workers walked out in protest at the proposed new shift patterns for Scotland's 4,500 prison officers after negotiations broke down.

However, the action was ended later the same day and both sides agreed to go to binding arbitration.

The Acas proposal, which both staff and management will now implement, is much the same package that was under negotiation earlier this year.

The deal will see contracted working hours reduced from 39 a week to 38 from October, then 37 hours from October next year.

But if the POAS believes that management in individual jails has failed to work within the new agreed shift patterns, grievances will be dealt with by independent arbitration.

'Positive resolution'

Staff selection and allocation will also be conducted along the guidelines drawn up by prison service management in consultation with the union.

A spokesman for the SPS said: "Both SPS and POAS are bound by this outcome and will work closely together to support it."

The organisation said full details of how the agreement would be implemented would be finalised in the next few days.

Derek Turner, of the POAS, said: "This option gives us a very positive dispute resolution procedure and hopefully it will conclude the issue and we can move forward on a proper basis."