United KG regional manager Jon Birman was quoted as saying the estimated 45,000 manhours lost during the seven week dispute were unable to be recovered.

The next three weeks would reveal the extent of the damage to the maintenance program and to some of the items reportedly already showing signs of distress caused by the lack of maintenance.

“Some of the period of the seven weeks lost we simply can’t recover before the summer,” Birman was quoted as saying.

Around 120 workers were involved in the dispute, which was seeking increased wages and conditions. They agreed upon a revised offer with a Australian Manufacturing Workers Union spokesman saying further disputes were now unlikely.

The workers settled upon a working week that will be reduced by 30 minutes, commencing next year, and an 18% pay increase and a 15% allowances increase over three years.