Dale Farm workers have voted to accept an improved pay deal, putting plans to take significant strike action to bed.

Members of UK-based trade union Unite employed as drivers and engineers at four Dale Farm sites across Northern Ireland had planned to take strike action for an initial three days starting from Wednesday 20 August and escalate it to an all-out strike over the coming weeks.

However, the employees at Dale Farm's Cookstown, Ballymena, Omagh and Enniskillen sites voted decisively to accept a pay offer worth an extra 4.75%.

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The pay deal represents a significant improvement from the 3% increase originally offered by management.

General secretary of Unite Sharon Graham said: “Dale Farm workers have scored a clear win on pay. This result demonstrates the importance of having strong unions in the workplace to deliver on workers’ jobs, pay and conditions.”

Drivers will now receive an additional increase on their bulk tank allowance and engineers will receive an additional maintenance payment both of which are worth 1.75%.

Unite represents approximately 100 workers at four Dale Farm production sites in Cookstown, Ballymena, Omagh and Enniskillen.

Unite regional officer for the workforce Simon Hall said: “Unite members have voted to accept a significantly improved pay offer. This goes some way towards improving the rate of pay of a skilled workforce. We will continue to build union strength with the aim of ensuring Dale Farm’s success is properly shared with its employees.”