This story has been updated with comments from Executive Director Gisele Hebert.
After a bitter four-month lockout, Children's Aid employees were back at work with morning with plenty of smiles and hugs.
The dispute now goes to binding arbitration, ending the strike/lockout.
It comes after a stunning reversal by management who on Thursday had invited employees back to work by way of a message on its website, but the offer contained a long list of conditions and concessions.
The next day brought a 180-degree reversal from Board Chair John Stopper.
"The lifting of the lockout is not contingent upon consent as variously reported, nor does it list 17 conditions for return to work. The lock out has been lifted. The Board's Chair advises that "there is no consent necessary on the part of staff or the union. I know many of these people; we value their service and hope that they will return to the invaluable work of the Society come Monday."
See: CAS backs down. Strike/lockout is over
CUPE spokesperson Mary Unan called the signing of a return to work protocol a win for the union, with a "very positive" feeling among the members.
"It was a win. People are very, very happy to be going back to work and that it has ended."
That means all working conditions revert back to what they were before the lockout, with the previous contract in force until the arbitrator's decision.
But a settlement could still be a long way off.
"There really isn't a timeline," said Unan. "In fact, I'm almost sure it will be [a long process].
Executive Director Gisele Hebert said the reason for the reversal is simple.
"It's been a long labour disruption and we just wanted our staff back to work so we took measures to ensure that it happened and that we move forward with the binding arbitration as well to resolve all the outstanding issues that are on the table, so I'm very happy about that.
"I think the four months was difficult on everyone obviously. We've always been very clear and transparent, and we continue to be regarding some of our concerns regarding specifically the sick leave benefit but we will let the arbitrator look at that issue as well as other outstanding issues and hopefully we'll be able to come to a resolution."
She described the return to work as emotional.
"I think its emotional for everyone. This has been a long time. Staff are happy to be back to work and we're very pleased to have them here this morning and people are just focussing on taking care of children and families so that's what we're here to do and that's what we'll continue to do to move forward as an organization."
