AKRON, Ohio, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- U.S. union workers at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. have voted to end a 12-week strike, ratifying a contract that will save the tire maker as much as $610 million.
More than 10,000 United Steelworks members from 12 Goodyear plants in 10 states approved the three-year contract by a 2-1 margin, the union said.
Strikers were set to return to work Tuesday, ending an 86-day walkout that began Oct. 5, the union said.
The contract "will secure medical and prescription drug benefits for current and future retirees," the union said.
It also requires Goodyear to postpone plans to close its Tyler, Texas, tire plant for a year to give workers time to leave gradually or take a retirement buyout.
Goodyear said the contract would likely result in "substantial cost savings," totaling $70 million in 2007, $240 million in 2008 and $300 million in 2009.
"The end result is Goodyear will be a stronger company, a stronger employer and a stronger overall global competitor," Goodyear Chairman and Chief Executive Robert Keegan said.
