LONDON, Ont. - A tentative agreement has been reached between striking librarians and archivists and the University of Western Ontario in London.

The agreement covering the 51 workers, who had been on strike since Sept. 8, was reached Tuesday afternoon.

As part of a back-to-work protocol the picket lines are coming down immediately and ratification is expected by the end of the week.

If the four-year agreement is ratified by the union membership and Western's board of governors, the workers could be back on the job early next week.

The terms of the agreement will remain confidential until ratification by both parties.