The union which represents about 436 Viterra employees is counting members votes Friday on accepting or rejecting the company’s latest offer.

Negotiations for a new deal between the General and Grain Services Union Locals 1 & 2 and Viterra Canada Inc have been ongoing for over a year, but stalled over wages, a better work-life balance, and respect in the work place.

Earlier this month, the GSU issued 72-hour strike notice to Viterra and the company made an offer in the 11th hour to avoid a strike. It primarily includes an overall wage increase of 13.25 percent spread out over 4 years.

Members of GSU Local 1 – which are employees at Viterra grain elevators around the province – and Local 2 – which are employees at the Viterra Head Office in Regina – had more than 10 days to review the offer and vote “yay” or “nay” on the deal.

The expectation is an announcement of the results sometime Friday afternoon.