LANSING, NY—After two weeks on the picket line here, Teamsters Local 317 members have voted overwhelmingly to approve a contract with auto parts manufacturer BorgWarner, securing wage increases and expanded benefits.

The more than 700 workers represented by Local 317 will receive 21 percent in wage increases over the life of the four-year agreement, a $5,500 ratification bonus, and expanded medical and vacation benefits.

Teamsters at BorgWarner went on strike on Sept. 9 after 98 percent of workers voted in favor of authorizing a strike. The workers voted down a prior offer from the company before ratifying the current agreement by 90 percent. Employees returned to work with the third shift on Sept. 22.

“The past two weeks have been stressful, especially with our members’ concern over the loss of health insurance and the impact that has on our families,” said Lane Yon, a Local 317 member and chairperson of the strike committee. “However, during the strike we all came together as a union and a community and got support from our neighbors and local and state officials. We weren’t asking for the moon, just a piece of the pie. This new contract is exactly what we were fighting for. At the end of the day, our members love working here and just want to get back to work.”