PITTSBURGH — Members of United Steelworkers (USW) union locals at BFGoodrich Tires plants in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Fort Wayne, Ind., have ratified a new three-year labor contract with the Michelin North American Inc. business unit.

The new deal, which runs through July 30, 2022, covers about 2,500 workers at the two plants. The agreement includes annual wage increases and bonuses, maintains quality, affordable health care coverage, and strengthens retirement benefits, the USW said.

"These hard-working union members, along with tire workers across the industry, are facing a number of challenges, first and foremost the threats of foreign competition and unfair trade," USW International President Thomas Conway said.

"They should be proud that they were able to reach an agreement that maintains family-supporting jobs while ensuring the long-term competitiveness of their facilities."

Local 351L at Tuscaloosa approved the pact by an 386 to 266 vote, while Local 715 in Fort Wayne voted 502 to 368.

Under terms of the new agreement, employees will receive per hour wage increases ranging from 80 cents to $1.36, depending on job classification. With the raises, the top-earning workers will be earning more than $30 an hour.

The USW's previous three-year agreement with BFGoodrich expired on July 27.

The two sides began talks for a new contract this spring amid news that Michelin was considering moving some production from the plants to its newly acquired P.T. Multistrada subsidiary in Indonesia.

The new deal puts the Michelin plants on the same cycle as the Goodyear, Bridgestone Americas and Sumitomo North America deals — which cover 12 U.S. sites and are set to expire in July 2022 as well. Overall, the USW said it represents more than 18,000 workers in the U.S. tire industry.