A 12-week strike at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the Canadian War Museum is likely to end soon after a tentative deal was reached between the two sides.

"It's good news — the prospect of going back into work before the holidays — sounds fantastic to me at the moment," said Melissa Ferland, who works as an actor at the Museum of Civilization.

She is one of the 420 Ottawa-area museum employees who have been on strike since Sept. 21.

The Canadian Museum of Civilization Corp., which runs the two Ottawa-area museums, announced the deal Monday morning following a weekend of negotiations.

More job security

The striking employees must still vote to ratify the deal, which is being recommended unanimously by the union's bargaining team.

Patrice Rémillard, who is on the bargaining committee for the Public Service Alliance of Canada, said better job security for employees is a highlight of the new agreement.

Job security, contracting out, and wages were the main issues behind the strike. A flyer handed out to union members Monday said the tentative deal includes seven new part-time positions that will be filled internally, recognition of seniority and a guarantee that contracting out will not result in layoffs for some types of employees.

Job security, contracting out and wages had been the main issues behind the strike.

The museum corporation said in a statement Monday that managers have begun preparing for employees to return to work.

The corporation and the union were called back to the bargaining table by federal mediators last Friday.

On Sunday, more than 200 of the striking workers marched from the Canadian War Museum to a downtown theatre for a rally and concert.

The workers, who include librarians, conservators, exhibition designers, guides, educational programming staff and security, have been without a contract since March.

The museums are always closed on Monday. However, the museums have been open during their regular hours throughout the strike.