City of Edmonton, union avoid strike with tentative deal that now includes library workers

A deal was struck between the union representing some 5,000 City of Edmonton and Edmonton Public Library employees and the city on Thursday.

Late Thursday night, Civic Service Union 52 (CSU 52) president Lanny Chudyk said the agreement now also includes Edmonton Public Library (EPL).

"There will be no labour disruption at this time," he said in a 9:15 p.m. update.

More details about the agreement will be announced on Friday, Chudyk said. Watch his news conference at 11 a.m. on CTVNewsEdmonton.ca. 

A tentative deal earlier in the day did not include library workers.

"While this tentative agreement must be ratified by EPL’s union members, we are delighted that Edmontonians may continue to access all EPL services while this process is underway," EPL CEO Pilar Martinez said in a statement Thursday evening.

In a joint statement, Mayor Amarjeet Sohi and city manager Andre Corbould said Thursday afternoon they were pleased a tentative agreement had been reached.

"While we cannot predict the outcome of the ratification, we are pleased that Edmontonians will continue to receive high-quality programs and services while this process unfolds."

CSU 52 members were scheduled to form a picket line Thursday morning but the city and union returned to the bargaining table instead.

The union served strike notice on Monday.