PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Union workers have approved a labor contract with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. that affects about 8,000 employees at six U.S. plants.
The international vice president of the United Steelworkers, Tom Conway, on Thursday said the four-year contract protects plants against closures throughout its term.
The union says steelworkers in the six facilities passed the contract by a 3-to-1 margin.
The United Steelworkers and Akron, Ohio-based Goodyear had reached the tentative agreement on July 27 to avoid a strike hours before a deadline.
The contract applies to facilities in Akron; Gadsden, Ala.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Fayetteville, N.C.; Topeka, Kan.; and Danville, Va.
Goodyear Chairman and CEO Richard Kramer had indicated the deal would help the company's competitive position.
