LloydsPharmacy workers belonging to the Mandate trade union are to temporarily suspend their campaign of industrial action, which has seen a number of intermittent strikes at the chain over the summer.
The dispute centres on LloydsPharmacy's refusal to engage with Mandate on the basis that it already has an internal non-union staff negotiating body.
Mandate said that it represents around 250 of the 800 retail staff, though the chain employs 960 personnel in all.
The union claims that 400 LloydsPharmacy personnel have applied for a recently announced voluntary severance package.
Mandate said that following a meeting of members in Dublin today, 75% of its members voted to suspend industrial action - but the union said it will be taking a case to the Labour Court in pursuit of enhanced pay and conditions.
It accused the company of preferring to close shops, inconvenience the public and damage the business rather than allow a right to union representation.
Mandate Assistant General Secretary Gerry Light stressed that despite the temporary suspension of the industrial action, the dispute would continue, and members reserved their right to participate in further industrial action should the company maintain its refusal to engage with the union.
He said that since their campaign for recognition in pursuit of better conditions had commenced, members had won the abolition of the minimum wage, pay rises of up to 24%, the introduction of pay scales, the re-introduction of a sick pay scheme, the payment of pharmacist professional fees and the promise of secure hour contracts.
However, Mr Light said Mandate is demanding a further pay increase with "adequate" incremental pay scales, a "sufficient" sick pay scheme, security of hours and the elimination of zero-hour contracts, and improved leave and holiday entitlements.
LloydsPharmacy had previously branded Mandate's industrial activity as completely unnecessary, unwarranted and reckless in the extreme.
The company has defended its pay and conditions, saying it was working "closely and successfully" with its employees on delivering a wide range of progressive improvements themselves and there was "no reason for any external interference".
LloydsPharmacy welcomed Mandate's decision to suspend further industrial action.
Director of Sales and Marketing Pat Watt said that over the last few months, they had worked successfully with employees through their in-house Colleague Representative Committee to agree a comprehensive deal to deliver real improvements for all employees.
He said this deal addressed many legacy issues that had arisen in the company over the past 10 years.
Mr Watt said LloydsPharmacy would now place a renewed focus on delivering for customers and patients, overcoming challenges in the sector, restoring the business to profitability and long-term success.
LloydsPharmacy is Ireland's largest pharmaceutical chain operating 88 stores across the country with approximately 800 workers employed in their pharmacies.
It is owned by the McKesson Corporation which is the largest pharmaceutical company in the world with revenues of €183.88 billion in 2017.
