Starbucks and its union representing more than 10,000 baristas have agreed to bring in a mediator to help resume stalled contract negotiations and reach a deal, they said in a joint statement on Thursday.

A labor agreement, covering more than 500 U.S. stores, would be the company’s first. Talks stalled last year over wages.

They’ve been negotiating a template for collective bargaining agreements covering more than 500 cafes in the U.S.

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) and the Workers United union have agreed to bring in an outside mediator to advance contract negotiations. The coffee chain operator and Workers United noted in a joint statement that they have made progress over the last nine months of bargaining,