DeKALB — NIU and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 31, Local 1890, or AFSCME Council 31, reached a tentative agreement Monday.

The union has been negotiating with the university for an initial contract agreement, on behalf of operational staff members, for over two years.

Sara Dorner, labor representative for AFSCME Council 31, said the union is not disclosing details about the contract agreement at this time but said union members will have a ratification vote May 1.

Union members have been picketing at MLK Commons every Monday in an effort to bring about an agreement since March 19, according to a March 22 Northern Star article.

Dorner said Union members will no longer be rallying outside of the MLK Commons now that an initial agreement has been made.

“We’re very happy with our tentative agreement,” Dorner said. “We think it’s an agreement everyone will be happy with.”

Union members and the Board of Trustees can ratify the agreement during the May 10 Board meeting, according to an April 17 joint statement release from AFSCME Council 31 representative and Northern Illinois University.

“Both the university and the union are pleased with the agreement and look forward to the continued dedication of all parties involved,” according to the statement.