The Fraser Valley Regional Library (FVRL) says it has avoided a “last resort lockout” and reached a tentative agreement with the union representing workers.

The lockout, which had been announced Tuesday, would have meant all 25 FVRL locations would have been closed Friday morning.

The union, CUPE Local 1698, represents more than 300 library workers in B.C.’s Fraser Valley.

The library said in a news release Thursday that the new proposal in the tentative agreement will create “service stability for our communities” and certainty for the library and its staff.

The proposal is made up of a four-year term, with a total wage increase of 13 per cent over four years (four per cent in 2025 and three per cent in each of 2026, 2027 and 2028), according to the release.

It said the proposal addressed the union’s concerns about the third-year wage increase and about a two-year term.

“We thank our communities and FVRL staff for their understanding and support during these challenging times,” said the library.

CUPE 1698 said in an emailed statement that it doesn’t plan to speak to media until after the tentative agreement is ratified by the union membership and the library’s board.

The union spokesperson said the ratification meeting will be on Sunday.