The workers had refused to back the plan until last week, when according to sources close to the company, which is owned by the Irish Co-op Society, recent manufacturing job losses "focused minds".

Europaks, which manufacturers corrugated cardboard cases, has been in difficulty since August 2005 due to a series of closures and downsizing among its clients.

The company's management have also complained that rising costs and personnel issues, such as high levels of absenteeism and poor timekeeping, has damaged its competitiveness.