CAT - Caterpillar reaches tentative 6-year agreement with UAW

Caterpillar on Wednesday said it had reached a tentative deal with the United Auto Workers, which represents employees at four of its facilities. The agreement helps to avert a possible strike that loomed as the current contract with the maker of construction equipment expires.

Employees still have to vote to approve the new six-year agreement, Reuters reported. Some workers had threatened a walkout as they sought wage increases, improved safety measures and better healthcare benefits.

The UAW will schedule a ratification vote soon while the current agreement is extended, Caterpillar said in a statement.

The contract covers approximately 7,000 union employees at three factories in central Illinois and a distribution center in York, Pennsylvania.

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