Library workers accept deal from Essex County Library Board

Essex County library workers have voted to accept a deal offered by the library board after spending 230 days on strike.

The decision was reached during a ratification meeting Thursday afternoon 70 per cent of members voted in favour of the offer.

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CUPE 2974 spokeswoman, Lori Wightman, said she was "relieved" the deal was accepted by members,even though it comes with changes to short-term disability plans.

"It's gone on too long, both sides were too dug in," she said. "We got the best deal we could. We'll move forward like professionals."

The library board and the union first reached a tentative agreement around 1 a.m. Thursday.

"I'm very pleased," said Essex County Warden Tom Bain, when reached on the phone by CBC News early Thursday morning. "Excited to hear that they've finally settled and we'll be able to get the libraries back open and back to normal."

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The board still has to ratify the deal duringmeeting Friday afternoon, but Bain said he hopes the 14 libraries across the county can re-open next week.

He would not reveal any details about the agreement, saying only it was a "pretty fair deal."