NEWTON, Iowa — After over 80 days on strike for better pay, lower health care costs and immediate accident and sickness leave, UAW Local 997 in Newton has come to a contract agreement with their employer, Thombert, Inc.
Both sides reached a tentative agreement on Friday, but they needed to hold a final vote Saturday.
Local 5 spoke with union members before Saturday's meeting, and they said they felt confident going in.
However, during the meeting's many breaks, people said there was lots of shouting and disagreement — two signs of uncertainty over Friday's tentative agreement.
"We were all getting frustrated," said union member Tony Geerligs.
Member Mike Aldridge said during one of those breaks he felt a vote of approval on a new contract to end the strike was 50-50.
"They're not very happy really, but I think we'll all come together," he said.
Saturday's closed-door vote lasted over two hours due to the intense conversations inside.
RELATED: The auto workers' strike enters its 4th week. The union president urges members to keep up the fight
Both sides voted to approve Friday's tentative contract agreement.
"There was some stuff that we were, a lot of us were happy with, and then there was stuff that wasn't," Geerligs said. "I think if everyone walks away a little unhappy, then it's probably, fairly successful."
The contract entails increased pay over a five-year period, and members will have access to lower healthcare costs. But Thombert wouldn't budge on providing immediate accident and sickness leave for their employees.
RELATED: Hollywood actors strike hits 100-day mark: A look at where things stand and what happens next.
Members of UAW Local 997 will return to work next week, as Thombert said they need a few days to get everything back to being ready at the plant.