The unionized staff at the Village Voice won't be striking, after all. Earlier this week, we reported that staffers were poised to strike over a contract dispute, with employee health benefits being one of the largest issues. Today there's word from both sides that an agreement has almost been reached.

Graham Rayman, a Voice staff writer and union spokesperson, emailed last night: “We have reached a tentative agreement that is going to be presented to the membership for their approval in the morning.” Later, The Washington Post quoted editor-in-chief Tony Ortega: "Done deal. You can quote me: Our number one concern was that the Voice employees join the same healthcare plan as the rest of the company. Their top concern seemed to be that VVM [Village Voice Media] continue to pay their health premiums. Both of those things happened, and I’m really glad to say we have another three-year contract."

Terms are in the process of being presented to union members; we'll update as necessary. Yesterday, staffers staged a 20-minute walkout as a "symbolic" act, and they have continued to update their "alternative" website, The Real Voice.

UPDATE: We just received the following from Rayman: "Members unanimously voted to approve the contract this morning. We won on two essential points with respect to our health benefits in that employees will continue to make no contribution toward the health care premiums, and there won't be a two-tiered health care arrangement in which newer employees have to accept a lesser plan. These elements really put us ahead of the curve as far as the industry standard."