About 130 workers at Voisey's Bay nickel mine in northern Labrador went on strike in August 2009. (CBC)

A large majority of striking Voisey's Bay nickel mine workers in Labrador have voted in favour of a settlement proposed by an industrial inquiry commission.

Eighty per cent of the 130 striking workers said the proposed settlement is acceptable.

But that doesn't mean the 18-month strike is over. The mine's owner, Brazil-based Vale, said it can't support the settlement proposed by the commission. Last week, Vale said it will only accept a deal negotiated directly with the union.

The United Steelworkers Union that represents the striking workers still hopes their vote will lead to a settlement.

"We received 80 per cent support of the recommendations to take forward to the [provincial] government and ask them that they impose an agreement," said union leader Darren Cove.

Last October, when it appeared the dispute was deadlocked, former premier Danny Williams ordered an industrial inquiry commission to look into the strike and report its findings.

The commission's report and proposed settlement were released last week.

The commission doesn't have the power to impose an agreement, but it has encouraged both sides to accept the terms it is suggesting to end the dispute.

It called on both sides to compromise.