Union workers at Hawai’i Gas Co. have reached an agreement on a new contract with increased wages and improved benefits, ending the nearly two-week strike that began June 1 and impacted multiple local businesses that rely on propane.

They are scheduled to go back to work today, the company said.

The Hawaii Teamsters & Allied Workers Local 996 and the company confirmed the ratification of a new three-year contract in separate announcements on Wednesday night. In Maui County, there were 23 striking union workers, including employees on Molokai and Lanai. Statewide, the union represents 217 of Hawai’i Gas Co.’s 359 employees.

“After weeks of negotiations, we have reached an agreement that we believe benefits both our members and the company,” Kevin Holu, president of the Hawaii Teamsters & Allied Workers Local 996, said in a news release. “Our primary goal in this strike was to ensure that our members were compensated fairly for their hard work and dedication to Hawaii Gas.”

Hawai’i Gas CEO Alicia Moy said in a statement that they are “very glad” to come to an agreement with the union.

“This situation has been tough for everyone, and we know we will need to find ways to heal and come back together as one ‘ohana. We look forward to welcoming everyone back to work and serving our customers,” she said Wednesday night.

As employees get back to work, Hawai’i Gas continues to do everything it can to ensure service continuity and is prioritizing propane deliveries to critical infrastructure customers such as emergency responders, hospitals and health care facilities, the company said in a news release.

Maui Memorial Medical Center does not use Hawai’i Gas services and therefore was unaffected by the strike, a hospital spokesperson said Thursday afternoon.

Moy said she appreciates customers’ patience and that the company is committed “to getting operations back to normal as soon as possible.”

As the strike went on, more and more Maui County businesses announced on social media that they needed to close until gas was delivered or had to limit some services due to the strike.

Earlier this week, Kalipi’s Stop on Molokai had to close temporarily due to the lack of propane. Umi Sushi Maui in Wailuku also announced earlier this week that it was open with a full sushi menu but with a limited hot food menu due to the strike.

On Wednesday, prior to the announcement of the agreement, Umi’s said on Instagram, “We are back in action!!” noting the restaurant received some gas.

Last week, Serpico’s Pizzeria Maui in Pukalani also closed briefly after running out of gas, and HPM Building Supply said that all four of its Maui locations had run out of propane.

Some Maui residents who rely on propane to heat their water also told The Maui News that they were taking shorter showers this week as they were running low on propane.

Hawai’i Gas said the terms of the new agreement include a 15 percent increase in wages over three years and a flat rate for medical insurance, which represents approximately 10 percent of the employee medical insurance premium cost.

About 90 percent of medical insurance premium cost is covered by the company.

The union workers hold manufacturing, distribution, service and clerical positions.

“We believe this agreement is a win for everyone involved,” Holu said. “Our members will be able to return to work with the knowledge that their contributions are valued and compensated fairly and Hawaii Gas can continue providing vital services to the people of Hawaii.”

* Staff Writer Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.