CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Public Library and the union representing library workers said Thursday they reached a tentative deal to resolve their simmering labor dispute, avoiding a potential strike that would have shut down some library branches and services.

About 400 librarians, library assistants, clerks, maintenance workers and custodians have been without a contract since the end of the year. Contract talks between the library system and the union, the Service Employees International Union District 1199 have been on-going since September, but broke down around the new year. The labor dispute garnered national attention this week from Democratic presidential candidates Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

The library system said the break down in negotiations came down to compensation. The union said workers wanted to ensure the library system was safe and properly staffed.

Workers were prepared to strike next month if a deal could not be reached. A work stoppage would have forced some library branches to shut down and services to shutter.

Workers will vote on the contract on Wednesday, both the library system and the union said. No details about the contract will be released until then.

“If ratified by the members of SEIU District 1199 next week, the new agreement will take effect immediately and a strike will be adverted,” SEIU District 1199 spokesman Anthony Caldwell said in a statement.

The library is also negotiating with its security workers, who have also been without a contract since the end of the year. Those talks remain on-going.

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