The Dublin Bus dispute is likely to be resolved after the two biggest unions voted to accept proposals on pay.

The National Bus and Rail Union which represents around 1,500 drivers backed the proposals by 79% to 21% with a turnout of 90%.

The seven grades represented by SIPTU also all voted in favour though the margin for drivers at 58% was lower than among other administrative grades. The turnout was 92%.

The results from three smaller unions are expected after the weekend.

The dispute centred on union demands for a 15% pay increase over three years, plus payment of a 6% wage round that was never paid in 2008 due to the economic crisis.

However, the company had argued that it could not afford to pay more than 8.25% over three years set out in a Labour Court recommendation which was overwhelmingly rejected by the workforce.

Under proposals hammered out at the Workplace Relations Commission last week, the staff will see an 11.25% increase over three years.

Unions say there are no productivity requirements, though the company insists that acceptance of policies including Lean Management techniques and random drug and alcohol testing will offset some of the cost of the added increase.

There is also potential for further increases subject to productivity on a grade by grade basis.

The 11.25% pay award equates to 3.75% a year - broadly in line with the increase recently accepted by Luas workers, but significantly above the average pay increases of 1 - 3% across the economy.

Minister for Transport Shane Ross has welcomed the development, but said that "there are further ballots to take place".

Already public servants agitating for accelerated pay restoration have cited the Luas and Dublin Bus deals to shore up their argument.

The dispute paralysed bus services for six days in September.