Workers of the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) in Ottawa have reached a three-year agreement with their employer, but the union warns of further layoffs.

The 24-day strike disrupted essential childcare services after workers in the Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 454 and the Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa (CASO) left their jobs on July 8.

The union stated in a social media post on Tuesday that a preliminary agreement had been reached.

Workers at the Children’s Aid Society in Ottawa, members of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 454, reached a preliminary agreement last night after a 24-day strike. The union posted on X: "I will provide more details once the ratification vote is complete this afternoon - solidarity."

The union's main priorities focused on chronic funding shortages and a strained workforce for essential childcare services. CASO workers had been without a contract since the end of 2023.

The union announced last Wednesday that its members voted to ratify the new contract, although the details of the vote were not disclosed.

Michelle Thorne, president of OPSEU/SEFPO Local 454, which represents over 300 workers at CASO, said: "The decision to walk out was not made lightly, but workers faced an impossible choice."

She added that the conditions at the agency are unacceptable and not only jeopardize our mental health but also the consistency and quality of the support we can provide. We are witnessing children's aid societies across Ontario being destroyed, and something needs to change.