A potential strike by Duluth city workers is now on hold thanks to a tentative contract agreement between the city and leaders of AFSCME Local 66. The deal, reached at 4:15 a.m. on March 4, was hammered out by negotiators in a marathon 19-hour session with mediators. The union bargaining team unanimously recommends that members vote to accept the agreement, which Negotiation Chair Jim Dreier calls “fair.” His team beat back union busting, got stronger layoff protection, won four days pay by ending forced furloughs, and retained steps, longevity pay and health benefits. Members will vote on their contract March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day) from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at AFSCME’s Duluth Office, 211 W. 2nd St.