It’s back to business as usual at 17 unionized libraries throughout the Okanagan.

The bargaining committees for both the Okanagan Regional Library and CUPE 1123 have reached a tentative contract agreement.

The two sides signed a Memorandum of Agreement Thursday bringing all job action by unionized workers to a halt.

Workers have been without a contract for 19 months and, after six months of negotiations failed to reach an agreement, workers began rotating job action in early May.

Union members also refused to collect fines or work overtime.

This means that all ORL branches will again accept late fees and be able to clear account balances, as well as sell promotional items and accept fees for room rentals.

It is also anticipated the backlog to holds and the movement of items between branches will improve.

CUPE 1123 president Rose Jurkic says the union is glad that patrons can once again enjoy the full services of their local library.

“CUPE 1123 wants to thank the communities that have supported us throughout contract negotiations,” says Jurkic.

Details of the agreement won’t be released until it has been ratified by both sides.

The union has scheduled a ratification vote for Sunday, September 9.

Both the Osoyoos and Oliver branches are not unionized but were affected by the dispute on movement of books between branches and HQ in Kelowna.

with files from Wayne Moore, Castanet