Striking Solvang city employees are expected to return to work Thursday morning after the two sides reached a tentative labor agreement.

Members of Teamsters Local 986 have been on strike since Sept. 15 amid a dispute about pay raises. 

Late Wednesday night, a joint news release announced the deal, which will end the work stoppage after entering the fifth week.

Local 986 members have approved and ratified the agreement, which now will go to the City Council for ratification at its Oct. 26 meeting. 

Details of the deal weren’t released Wednesday, but the city will make the agreement’s details public during the council’s consideration late this month, according to Olivia Uribe-Mutal, assistant to the city manager.

“This is good news for our employees and our community,” Mayor David Brown said. “We are grateful to everyone who helped us get here, and we are glad to move forward together in service to Solvang.”

The Teamsters represent about 30 city employees who handle various duties for Solvang, including road repairs, parks upkeep and more. 

“This agreement is a testament to the determination and solidarity of the hardworking men and women who serve the city of Solvang,” said Jeff Lee, business representative for Teamsters Local 986.

He said the workers “stood together not just for themselves, but for the principle that public service deserves to be valued and respected.”

“I could not be prouder of our members for their courage, their commitment to one another, and their willingness to stand up for what they believe in. We appreciate the city’s willingness to work toward a resolution and look forward to moving ahead together with a renewed commitment to the employees and the community they proudly serve,” Lee added.

During Monday night’s City Council meeting, Lee mentioned the latest offer from the employees, saying it included substantial concessions by members and would lead to a multi-year agreement so that Solvang would have predictable labor costs for a time.

After the council met behind closed doors Monday night, the city attorney said they provided additional authority to its negotiators for further talks with the union.

The two sides met at the bargaining table Wednesday and apparently came to an agreement.

With an agreement in place, both parties will focus on rebuilding the working relationship in serving the Solvang community, Uribe-Mutal said.

“Both the city and the union thank the city’s employees for their daily work in service to this community and for their dedication throughout a difficult process. They also thank Solvang’s residents, businesses and visitors for their patience throughout the dispute,” the joint news release said.