More than 50 employees are back at work after the strike at Abbotsford's Pacific Pallet ended earlier this month.

Earl Graham, United Steelworkers local 1- 3567 representative, said the major resolution for them was the six-year deal they agreed to with the Pacific Pallet management.

"It's a six-year deal and they did get increases in each year," said Graham.

The strike began in March after about 53 employees voted 98 per cent in favour of a strike during negotiations for a new collective agreement.

"The guys want to go back to work and make a positive environment there," said Graham.

The union worker, which include labourers, lead hands, millwrights, forklift operators and semi-truck drivers, voted to go back to work on Sept. 8.

While the strike was "long and drawn out", Graham said he thinks it was a positive exercise because the workers got the wage they were looking for and are now back at work.

It is always a difficult situation though, he added.

"It's always tough. They've been on strike for five months so you got your few that still what to stay out and the majority that wants to go back," he said. "It's pretty tough for guys to forget those five months."

Pacific Pallet owner and president Stephen Harms was contacted but declined comment.

There are still some mediation matters to be resolved, but the main thing is getting the customers back, Graham said.