TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – Xstrata Nickel reached a tentative agreement for a new collective agreement with the United Steelworkers union Local 2010, which represents Xstrata Nickel's Sudbury office, clerical and technical employees, the firm reported on Monday.

The previous agreement expired at midnight on February 28, and union members had approved a strike mandate if a new deal was not struck.

The union's bargaining team has recommended acceptance of the new agreement and ratification meetings will be held early this week, Xstrata said.

Last month, members of the Canadian Autoworkers union employed at mine, mill and smelter operations in Sudbury voted to approve a new three-year collective agreement, also averting a potential strike.

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