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Tentative deal reached in forest strike

The United Steelworkers and its employer group, Forest Indutrial Relations, have come up with a tentative agreement that could end the coastal forest workers strike, now going into its third month.Rick Neuwirth, vice-president of local 1-2171, said the two sides negotiated all weekend to come up with the agreement. As of Monday morning, he had just heard the news and hadn't yet read the agreement or heard what it contains."We wouldn't have endorsed anything unless we made some headway," he said, adding that he expects neither side got exactly what it was looking for.He said picket captains he had spoken to reacted with optimism to the news that the strike may soon be over.A ratification vote will be held on the Charlottes later this week, Mr. Neuwirth said.The strike, which began July 21, has affected about 280 union members living on the islands.