There’s growing optimism that an end to British Columbia’s long-running port dispute could be at hand.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada and the BC Maritime Employers Association say a new tentative deal has been reached with the assistance of the Canada Industrial Relations Board.

In a joint statement issued Sunday night, both sides are recommending their members ratify the deal.

Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan announced Saturday he was directing the industrial relations board to determine if a negotiated end to the dispute was still possible… and if not… to impose an agreement or final binding arbitration.

The dispute, which saw workers walk off the job at more than 30 port terminals and other sites for 13 days at the beginning of July, entered a new phase late Friday night when members of the union rejected a previous potential agreement with employers.