The Ontario Nurses Association has reached a tentative deal with the Sudbury and District Health Unit.

The union, which represents 118 public health nurses who work at the health unit, was in mediation talks with the health unit Dec. 2 and 3. The deal has yet to be ratified by either side.

If mediation had failed, the nurses would have been in a legal strike position as of Dec. 4. The nurses' contract had expired April 1.

“I’m happy to report that the registered nurses and nurse practitioners with Sudbury & District Public Health Unit reached a tentative settlement earlier today,” said Ontario Nurses Association first vice-president Vicki McKenna, in a press release.

“This has been a long and difficult process during a pivotal moment for communities and for our nurses as they’ve worked to protect their community during the flu pandemic. ONA is very happy to recommend ratification of the tentative settlement.”

The press release said details of the settlement could not be released at this time.

However, Ontario Nurses Association president Linda Haslam-Stroud previously told Northern Life the nurses were asking for “normative” wage increases and improvements to their benefits. They were are also asking for changes to how their work hours are scheduled.

Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, Sudbury's medical officer of health and CEO of the Sudbury and District Health Unit, said in a press release she is “very pleased” a tentative deal has been reached.

“They (the public health nurses) are valued employees who provide important programs and services to people of all ages in a variety of settings throughout our service area,” said Sutcliffe.

“The tentative agreement is a fair one for the nurses, for the health unit, and for the people we serve.”

Check back to NorthernLife.ca for more on this story as it becomes available.