HONOLULU -- Teamsters Union officials announced Thursday night that they have reached a tentative agreement with Ameron Hawaii that could end the two-month long strike.

The strike started on Feb. 7. Since then, 144 Ameron cement workers have been walking the picket line.

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Both Ameron management and its workers were excited Thursday night to finally have an offer that appeases both sides. The two parties said the strike has been a strain on everyone involved and it will be good to get business going again.

"It's been long, but we took it in stride, took it day-by-day, kept everybody strong out there, positive, and that's what made everything a success," said Ameron worker Sam Keliihoomalu.

Keliihoomalu said he and many other coworkers are satisfied with the company's latest contract offer.

Ameron Vice President George West came out of the talks smiling.

"It feels great. It feels great. Everybody is really happy and we're happy we can get back to work, service our customers and get this thing rolling again," West said.

Union leaders representing Ameron workers say they tentatively agreed to Thursday's contract proposal because Ameron put more money on the table and changed its approach on the employee medical co-payments.

The tentative agreement is for five years and would give workers a $1 an hour raise in the first two years of the contract, an 80-cent an hour raise in the third year and a 70-cent an hour raise in the last two years.

For the medical co-payments, Ameron will ask its workers to pay a 20-percent share the first two years, then 25 percent in the third year and 30 percent in the last two years.

"The company feels happy about being able to maintain cost control objectives while maintaining an excellent wage and benefit package for employees," West said.

"I feel confident with the recommendation, by majority vote that we're looking at ending this strike on Saturday," Teamsters Union leader Mel Kahele said.

A ratification vote is set for this weekend. Many of the workers admit it took many negotiation sessions to get to this point, but it was worth it.

If the new contract is ratified Saturday, Ameron and the Teamsters Union expects the majority of the workers to be back at work Monday.

On March 19, Ameron executives presented what they called their last, best and final offer to Teamsters Local 996 officials. The five-year offer included options on wages and health care costs. However, the Teamsters would have to accept a 30 percent medical co-payment, a major stumbling block in the talks.

Ameron provides about 60 percent of the concrete used at construction projects around Oahu.