Unifor reached a tentative agreement on behalf of nearly 1300 "No Frills" workers across Ontario, the union said Sunday, to avoid a looming strike that was set to begin in less than 24 hours.

The union had set the strike deadline on Thursday, demanding wage increases and improved working conditions for employees at 17 stores. The job action could have started as early as Monday.

No Frills is the discount grocery brand owned by Loblaw Cos. Ltd., the largest grocery company in Canada.

Jord Corey, president of Unifor Local 414, said, "The workers knew that the public would support them in their demand for their fair share of Loblaw's huge profits."

He added, "The workers made it clear that they are prepared to strike, if necessary, to achieve our essential demands for decent work and wages."

The 17 stores include locations in Toronto, Whitby, Ontario, Niagara Falls, Ontario, and elsewhere.

Unifor had previously pointed to rising profits at Loblaw amid increasing living costs as a reason for their wage demands, saying workers are fed up with the gap between their wages and company profits.

No Frills workers – most of them part-time – will now vote on the tentative deal from Monday to Saturday. Details of the deal have not been disclosed due to the upcoming vote.

Unifor National President Lana Payne said in a statement: "Our bargaining committee at No Frills was determined to build on what grocery store workers achieved last summer with Metro," adding "This tentative agreement provides good wages and many other improvements for our members."

Loblaw did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Metro workers at 27 stores across the Toronto area reached a five-year agreement after a month-long strike last summer.

About 2700 workers there received an immediate raise of $1.50 an hour, and full-time and senior part-time workers will get an additional 50 cents increase in January, bringing their total pay raise in the coming months to $2 an hour.