The Region of Waterloo has ratified a labour agreement with the union representing 644 Grand River Transit workers, ensuring bus service on regional and city streets will continue without interruption.

The 36-month agreement with Unifor Local 4304 is retroactive, beginning Jan. 1, 2017, and ending Dec. 31, 2019.

In it, the region agreed to wage increases for union members: 1.5 per cent on Jan. 1, 2017; 1.75 per cent on Jan. 1, 2018; and 2 per cent on Jan. 1, 2019.

The agreement follows an intense period of negotiations earlier this year, which came to a head in early April after the union rejected a tentative agreement with the region.

There were threats of a strike on Monday, April 3, but that job action was avoided when the region and the union reached a second tentative agreement.

Workplace health and safety, along with other workplace issues, were the main points of discussion in the negotiations, according to both regional officials and union representatives.