The union representing Royal Botanical Gardens staff has come up with a deal that offers job security to the employees of the cash-strapped public gardens, and will avoid a potential strike.

“The union has permitted us to survive,” says RBG chief operating officer Stephen Oliver, of the two-year contract that protects the jobs of the remaining 23 staff from more layoffs. Sixteen staff members had been laid off previously. Remaining grounds workers had voted to strike in late April.

The contract also stipulates that remaining staff will retain the same level of wages and benefits they presently have, and if possible, will see laid-off employees find work with the governments of Halton, Burlington and Hamilton.

“The promise not to layoff more staff is possible only if the gardens remain open,” says Oliver. One such solution sees staff members participate in a renewal committee, which will use staff expertise to create ways to make the gardens sustainable.

“The contract was a short-term problem that could have taken us off track. I’m pleased there’s a deal,” says Oliver. The deal,ratified on May 11, will also allow the RBG to hire more students to perform the groundskeeping duties.