Quebec ferry workers reach agreement-in-principle with STQ

About 150 Quebec ferry workers who have been on strike for the last two weeks could soon be going back to work.

The United Steelworkers Associationannounced Monday afternoon that it has reached an agreement-in-principle with the provincial agency that runs most of Quebec's ferries,the Socit des traversiers du Qubec (STQ).

Details of the agreement are not being released.

Workers were seekinghigher pay and increased parental and retirement benefits. They went on strike Oct. 13 after talks broke down at the bargaining table.

The strike has been affecting the following ferry services:

• Complete cancellation of service between Lvis and Quebec City.
• Complete cancellation of service between Sorel-Tracy and Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola.
• Reduced service between Isle-aux-Coudres-St-Joseph-de-la-Rive and Matane-Baie-Comeau-Godbout.
• Reduced service Tadoussac-Baie-Sainte-Catherine Saguenay River crossing.

The union will hold a general assembly this week to discuss details of the agreement-in-principle.

Voting will begin Wednesday, Oct. 28 and last until Sunday, Nov. 1.