Airport director of operations Frank Scremin said in a news release the agreement “is fair and equitable.” He would not reveal details of the agreement.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 5167 had scheduled a vote for ratification on the six-year agreement Dec. 23, after News deadline.

Union officials were recommending its 35 firefighters, security staff and maintenance employees approve the deal.

Both airport officials and CUPE had agreed to an essential services agreement (ESA) week for the winter as required by federal regulation. An ESA was formalized last spring.

Both sides began negotiations Dec. 20 and continued until the early morning hours of Dec. 22.

With the ESA established, either side could have triggered a lockout or a strike within 72 hours.

A labour disruption would have threatened the heavy holiday travel season and vital cargo business at the airport. Hamilton International is Canada’s largest intermodal courier/cargo gateway, said airport officials.

An ESA is an agreement between the employer and bargaining unit that identifies the types of positions necessary for the employer to provide the essential service, the members of their position to provide the service necessary and the specific positions necessary.

CUPE Local 5197, which represents airport workers, including a four-person firefighter unit, voted 95.5 per cent to strike at a Dec. 14 meeting, said Derron Vernon, president of the local. Union membership also voted 96 per cent to strike two months ago, and rejected by 100 per cent the management’s final offer to the union back in September.

The four-year offer made by the airport, with an option for a fifth year, included a zero per cent wage increase for the first year and raises of 2.5 and three per cent in subsequent years.

The last agreement ended Oct. 1, 2008.

Vernon said other issues under discussion included scheduling problems, retroactive contract language and benefit issues.