A new contract for Essex County library employees has been given final approval, and branches across the region will soon reopen following a seven-month strike.
The new four-year contract was ratified by the Essex County Library Board Friday afternoon, and includes a yearly 2% wage increase for the employees, as well as a $3,000 signing bonus.
The contract, which expires in March of 2020, also includes the use of a third party insurance provider for sick time, which was a sticking point during negotiations.
The 57 library workers, who have been off the job since June, ratified the agreement with a 70% vote on Thursday.
Nelson Santos, vice chair of the library board, says he's looking forward to things getting back to business as usual.
"The strike action has certainly taken its toll throughout our region," he says. "At the end of the day, it's a good news day for our community knowing that the branches will be back in service and open for our seniors, our students, [and] our youth."
Santos says starting Monday, the employees and management will meet to develop a strategy for reopening the 14 library branches across Essex County. He says the hope is to have at least some of the library branches open by Thursday.
"Our employees are really looking forward to getting back into their routine -- to do what they do best," he says.
