Peterbilt Workers OK 5-Year Deal

Workers at Peterbilt Motors Co.’s suburban Nashville truck plant voted overwhelmingly Sunday to accept the company’s “final offer” and return to work July 1, ending a 10-month lockout.

According to plant manager Joe Scattergood, members of United Auto Workers Local 1832 voted 470 to 90 to accept the new five-year deal. Union officials could not be reached for comment.

Peterbilt laid off almost 500 employees in November in response to a drop in orders for the heavy trucks. Layoff notices went out Aug. 26, four days before the previous contract expired.

All 750 workers were locked out Sept. 3. Scattergood said about 250 union employees will return when the plant resumes operation.

The parties have not revealed specifics of the negotiations.

Peterbilt, which is based in Denton, Texas, is a division of Paccar Inc.