A two-week strike by refuse collectors in Haringey came to an end on Monday, but rubbish-laden streets will not be fully cleared for another two weeks, it has emerged.

Haringey Accord, which runs the refuse service, and the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU), whose 48 members have refused to work over the past fortnight, met at the Ashley Road depot, in Tottenham, at 6am on Monday, where Accord offered to reinstate one of the two domestic collection crews it had slashed in March, which sparked the action.

The move was made possible after Haringey Council loosened its requirements for Accord to make savings, and the refuse collectors voted, via a secret ballot, in favour of returning to work.

Workers believed the removal of the vehicles would create extra work and force them into conditions not compliant with health and safety regulations.

Paul Fawcett, the TGWU's regional industrial organiser, said: "The perfect compromise was reached and everyone seems to be relatively happy. I must add that it was only narrowly accepted by our members." The workers agreed to return to work immediately after the meeting.

A spokesman for Haringey Accord said: "Haringey Council has agreed that the one domestic refuse collection crew, which was removed under the efficiency savings, can be reinstated without this adversely affecting Accord's best value efficiency targets. The removal of one commercial collection crew will remain in place."

A Haringey Council spokeswoman said: "The council has not dropped the requirement for efficiency savings within the contract with Accord. In order to reach a swift resolution we have adjusted the efficiencies, but this still represents a considerable saving to the council. We are continually examining scope for additional efficiency savings across all services, now and in the future, and waste collection is no exception."