The plumbers working on the new Mower County Jail and Justice Center returned to work around 10 a.m. today after their union voted to approve a salary offer and end a short strike.

Rich Reding, superintendent for the jail and justice center project, confirmed the Local No. 6 plumbers and pipefitters union voted at 7 a.m. today to accept a contract proposed by the Southeastern Minnesota Piping Contractors Association.

The 13 county plumbers’ union announced the strike on Monday, taking the plumbers for Harty Mechanical Inc. away from construction on the jail and justice center.

The idea of a prolonged strike caused some concern about construction on the jail and justice center.

However, Reding said construction was at a point where work crews were able to work around the strike: “I don’t think it hurt the job at all.”

Craig Oscarson said crews could have worked around the piping work for a few weeks, but a prolonged strike likely would have caused problems.

Reding said he was happy to have the workers back, and he’s looking forward to keeping the project moving.

“It’s always nice to know the job’s going to keep rolling,” Reding said.