Union leaders representing 55-thousand school support workers have voted to accept a tentative contract with the province.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees reached the tentative deal just hours before the January 1st deadline allowing the McGuinty government to impose contracts on teachers' and school staff.

Union president Fred Hahn says the union's bargaining committee believes the agreement deals with key issues such as pensions and job security.

He says the leadership is recommending the general membership vote to accept the contract in the coming weeks.