TORONTO - A tentative contract agreement has been reached averting a strike by LCBO workers that was set to begin at midnight.

The agreement was signed shortly after the strike deadline passed, and was announced in a release from the Ontario Public Service Employees Union.

Union president Warren "Smokey" Thomas said details of the accord would not be released before union members have a chance to examine it over the next few days.

A ratification vote has not yet been scheduled, but Thomas said the union's bargaining team is unanimously recommending members accept the deal. From there, it would go to the LCBO board and the provincial government for ratification.

The agreement was negotiated with the help of a mediator who imposed a media blackout on the talks.

The 8,000 unionized LCBO workers have been without a contract since March 31, and voted 93 per cent in favour of a strike in April.

The LCBO had extended store hours for its outlets the past couple of days to allow customers more time to stock up in case there was a job action.