Brisbane bus drivers reach wages deal

Brisbane City Council officials have reached an informal agreement with its bus drivers on wages, bringing to an end a long-running and bitter dispute.

Unions had campaigned hard for an annual 3.5 per cent increase for drivers and council staff, but have agreed to take a 2.5 per cent rise and one-off $500 bonus over the next two years.

Employees will receive the larger of either a 2.5 per cent increase or rate of inflation in the third year.

Council staff will vote on the deal next month.

The decision comes just days after mayor Graham Quirk announced staff would vote without union agreement.

"We are pleased that these unions have negotiated in good faith in the past week and reached agreement with council," acting mayor Adrian Schrinner said in a statement.

Union attempts to block the staff vote were followed by intervention from the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.

Several unions have applied to the commission for separate negotiations for outdoor workers.

A final decision on that matter is expected later this month.