The lockout is finally over for Nipissing Parry Sound Children's Aid Society workers. Monday marks their return to the job.

Locked out since December 23rd, Children's Aid Society employee Elizabeth Holmes said walking the picket lines was an emotional experience.

“To say the least, it's been an emotional rollercoaster,” said Holmes.

“There were times where we thought we were going back, and a bargaining date is coming and your high hopes go up and is this going to be the day? Then it doesn't happen, so it certainly has been an emotional roller coaster.”

With a strike looming, CUPE Local 2049 and the Nipissing Parry Sound Children's Aid Society came to an agreement at the bargaining table; which will see nearly 140 locked out employees go back to work.

Welcome news to CUPE 2049 president Debbie Hill.

“It was pretty overwhelming sense of excitement and relief that the lockout/strike would finally end and we would be getting back to work,” said Hill.

“Everyone was excited.”

“I was a little bit in shock, and as I processed the information I thought, 'oh my god, what do we do now, what does this look like, what does this mean, when do we actually go back, when is this official?' So it was a little bit of a shock for sure,” Holmes explained.

Holmes admits she's feeling anxious and uneasy about stepping back in to the office after such a long labour dispute; but at the same time, it's a welcome relief.

“We are all looking really forward to getting back to working with the children and the families we work with every day, the community has been exceptional in supporting us throughout this lockout and we are anxious to be getting back and doing what we love to do,” she said.

Holmes said she's proud of some of the community work done by picketing CUPE members during the lockout. She adds they hope to continue some of the community work initiatives as they get back in to their normal routine.

Executive director Gisele Hebert said management was happy to greet staff Monday morning. She said it’s been an emotional time, but they are very happy to have staff back to work.

“Now we will see when the date for arbitration is, we look forward to resolving some of the outstanding issues that are before us,” said Hebert.

“But until then, business as usual. We are going to focus on the work of protecting children and serving children/ families that we work with.”

The two sides will now go to binding arbitration.