It appears a strike by security screeners at Eastern Canadian airports may be averted.

Talks between the United Steelworkers members and Securitas Transportation Airport Security broke down in September.

The union has been in a legal strike position since October, but Federal Labour Minister Lisa Raitt put that on hold pending a ruling from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board on essential service levels.

Lawrence McKay, the Steelworkers Atlantic Canada coordinator, said both sides met with a federal mediator two weeks ago and have set talks for Dec.17 to 21.

McKay is guardedly optimistic a deal can be reached.

“With this company, I don’t know. It looks right now like we’re going to get somewhere with it, but I guess we won’t know until that week,” said McKay.

The Industrial Relations Board is holding its ruling on whether the screeners are an essential service until after the talks.

The ruling would determine how many screeners, if any, could walk off the job if there’s a strike.