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The federal government and the union representing professionals working in the public service wound up three days of contract talks on Friday with what some say are the makings of a tentative deal that could boost salaries by five per cent over four years.

The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, which had publicly resolved to have a deal by the end of the year, appears to have broken the logjam that has dogged negotiations for more than two years.

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PIPSC president Debi Daviau confirmed in a notice to union members that the strategic bargaining committee would be meeting this weekend to review the Treasury Board’s offers to determine whether “we are ready to present these proposals to members.

“I ask for your patience for a few more days as we do our due diligence to ensure that we present the best possible deals to our members,” wrote Daviau.

Union and Treasury Board negotiators met until the early hours Friday morning, when they wrapped up discussions for three of the union’s bargaining groups — those working in health services, research and audit, and commerce and purchasing. The offers for those three groups will reviewed as possible tentative agreements to present members.