Workers at Victaulic's plant in Forks Township approved a new five-year contract Sunday.
Victaulic headquarters in Forks Township.
United Steelworkers Local 2599 voted overwhelmingly to accept a new agreement to replace the one that was set to expire at midnight Sunday, said union President Jerry Green.
The vote was 111 in favor of the contract and 24 opposed, he said.
The contract covers about 215 union employees and includes a $2,250 bonus this year; 2.5 percent pay increases in the second through fourth years of the deal; and a 3 percent increase in 2020, the final year of the contract, the union said.
Workers won't see a change in their health care contribution this year, but the contributions will rise $5 per week next year and an extra $6 a week in the third and fourth years, Green said.
The deal also includes an increase in workers' pension multipliers, severance benefits and an apprentice and internship program, according to Green.
Victaulic spokesman Eric Luftig said the agreement covers about 25 percent of the workforce in Forks, which includes a manufacturing plant and the company's global headquarters.
"We're pleased with the outcome," he said.
Green said the steelworkers union was satisfied, too.
"Although we'd attempted to bargain for more, we believe the contract is fair and acceptable considering tough economic times," Green said. "The membership understands the economic times. All things considered, I think we got a fair deal."
Bargaining for a new contract occurred over the past two months, Green said.
Victaulic manufactures pipe-joining systems and fittings. The company also has a manufacturing plant in Alburtis, in Lehigh County, but the steelworkers there are under a separate contract that doesn't expire until September 2018, Luftig said.
The Forks facility was recently recognized by IndustryWeek as one of the top eight manufacturing plants in North America.
Jim Deegan may be reached at jdeegan@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_deegan. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook.