The strike has ended at the University of Toronto, after teaching assistants and other workers accepted binding arbitration at an emergency meeting.

At the meeting CUPE 3902 held Thursday afternoon, 942 voted in favour and 318 voted against binding arbitration, which means an independent third party appointed by a provincial mediator will have the final say in the labour dispute.

University president Meric Gertler proposed the process Wednesday.

Gertler offered a statement Thursday evening saying he is “relieved” with the decision, and that teaching assistants, lab assistants, graders and invigilators will return to work on Friday.

That’s exactly one month after the union walked off the job seeking an increase to the $15,000 annual funding package they get for doing part-time work while studying for graduate degrees.

The strike has caused labs and tutorials to be cancelled and led to uncertainty for students around marks as papers pile up at the end of the semester.

President Gertler said Thursday he is committed to “to resolving all remaining complications caused by the strike as soon as possible.”

“To the students who have had to endure uncertainty and anxiety at a crucial time in the year – and especially those who are in the final year of their programs – thank you for your patience,” he added.

CUPE 3902 members twice failed to ratify tentative agreements reached with the union, including one voted on last Friday that would have raised graduate students annual funding package to $17,500.

Meanwhile, a strike by teaching assistants and other graduate students who are also seeking a raise continues at York University.