There is light at the end of the tunnel in a contract dispute that has dragged on for more than six years between the London Professional Firefighters Association (LPFFA) and city hall.
A tentative deal between the two sides was reached on Wednesday night.
"It's been a busy last several days," said Jason Timlick, president of the LPFFA. "At this point I have to remain positive and let the process play itself out."
Details of the agreement will not be released until a ratification vote is held by the union next week.
"I feel good. I feel positive. I'm happy. I slept reasonably well [Wednesday] night. Looking forward to getting to the ratification vote and letting my members see it and have their say. I'll reserve all comment until after that's done," said Timlick.
London firefighters have been without a contract since December 31, 2010. If firefighters vote in favour of the new deal it would end what has become the longest contract dispute in Canadian firefighter history.
Among the sticking points was the city's push to end wage parity between firefighters and the London Police Service, and the outsourcing of dispatch.
The tentative deal comes just two months after Martin Hayward took over the reins from Art Zuidema as city manager. LPFFA members had previously spoken critically of Zuidema during his time handling the labour dispute.
Timlick said at this point he isn't prepared to comment on whether the changing of the guard had anything to do with the break in talks.
"I think at this point I am just going to reserve comments like that until after next Friday," said Timlick. "I will say that there has been on both sides a great deal of work and many, many hours and a lot of money put into it over the six plus years."
