Train operator GNER says it has struck "a ground-breaking deal" with trade unions.

The company, which runs express services between London and Scotland on the East Coast Main Line, says it has forged a partnership with officials of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union, the Transport Salaried Staffs Association and the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union.

The agreement covers more than 2,100 full and part-time staff.

It establishes working principles which the rail company says "recognise the importance of breaking down barriers and working together to support employment opportunities, sustained business success and improved customer service".

As part of the deal, there will be a move towards a 35-hour working week - it is 37 hours at present - by January 2003.

It also covers "mutual involvement" in decision-making, information swapping, staff training and development, and "the need to create the right work/life balance". The company's human resources director, Mike Gooddie, said last night: "Our partnership, which is unique in the industry, reinforces a mature relationship of mutual openness and trust, of consensus not conflict.

"It recognises the important role of trade unions in contributing to the development of good practice." The latest development follows an agreement reached earlier this year with the train drivers' union, Aslef, which resulted in a 20 per cent pay rise for drivers, who now earn about £33,000.