An end to the nine-week lockout rested in the hands of the company’s New Zealand-based owners late on Thursday with Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union members prepared to cease their action ahead of another vote on a wage deal next Friday and Saturday.

The two parties met in the Fair Work Commission on Wednesday in an attempt to broker an end to the dispute which has divided the Myrtleford community.

The previous vote on the company pay deal including a two per cent pay rise was voted down 97-86 recently.

Mill management has informed union and non-union workers they won’t be budging on the pay offer already on the table.

Union members wanted a three per cent rise, but the CFMEU forestry division's national president, Jane Calvert, said workers were prepared to match the company wage offer and reduce back-pay claims.

They were also prepared to return to work for the first shift on Friday beginning at 6am.

“They are angry, but they are also conscious of the distress the community and themselves are under,” Ms Calvert said.

“This has been going on for nearly 10 weeks.

“We are prepared to do the right thing and we hope the company is prepared to do the right thing also.”

Carter Holt Harvey management couldn’t be contacted for comment on Thursday.

Its mill is one of Myrtleford’s biggest employers.

Spokesman for the non-union aligned mill workers, Enzo D’Andrea, said he hoped the dispute was nearing the end.

“We are still staying strong,” he said.

“All our guys will be voting yes at the next vote.

“We’ve accepted the offer from day one and we just want to go back to work.

“It was made clear this week it would be the same offer.

“There is no more money and the damage is done.”

Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy has asked Premier Daniel Andrews to help the Myrtleford community.

“Myrtleford could really use some assistance from the Premier in its hour of need,” Mr McCurdy said.

“This community is really hurting.”