Workers at the biggest zinc mine in Europe have voted overwhelmingly in favour of proposals on pay and conditions. This lifts the distant threat of a strike at Tara mines.
SIPTU branch secretary John Regan said the proposals cover extra annual leave, the introduction of a sick pay scheme for underground workers and improvements to both the miners' bonus and pension schemes.
In 2000, a strike over training, promotion and use of foreign workers crippled production for two weeks.
Union leaders held talks with management last month in a row over the use of contract workers. However, it was denied that workers were ready to go on strike or halt production.
