Union approves Goodyear contract

The United Steelworkers of America has voted in favor of a new contract with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. by a 3-1 margin, a representative said Thursday.

The two sides reached a tentative agreement July 27, shortly before employees were set to walk out on strike.

In all, the new contract covers about 8,000 employees at six plants in the United States, including 2,500 in Fayetteville.

The agreement protects the Fayetteville employees from closure for four years, and union officials said Goodyear is even adding to the workforce in Fayetteville.