Striking licensed practical nurses and health-care aides have reached a tentative agreement with owners of Hardisty Care Centre in east Edmonton.

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees and Park Place Seniors Living reached the deal with the help of a mediator late Thursday night.

"After 60 days on strike, we're pleased a tentative agreement has finally been reached that both sides can agree on," AUPE president Guy Smith said in a press release.

"This is a good first agreement and one we can use to build on in future bargaining."

Staff walked off the job at Hardisty Care Centre, at 6420 101 Avenue, on May 22 over wages. Worker Butch Callanjn says when the strike started, he and his colleagues didn't think it would go on so long.

"We thought it's going to be maybe a week or just a few days. But it last until now," he said. "It's okay. We got the victory."

AUPE said workers were paid 30 per cent less than other Alberta Health Services workers, while the company said it could only afford a 10-per-cent pay raise.

AUPE isn't releasing what is in the deal, but they say their concerns about wages have been addressed.

Ian West, vice-president of operations for Hardisty, said the mediator, Andy Sims, asked Alberta Health Services questions about the history and manner in which it funds care centres.

"The questions asked by Mr. Sims clearly revealed the complexity of the funding model and also exposed misconceptions that had led staff to strike action," West said in a news release.

Members will vote on the tentative agreement next week.