A bankruptcy judge later imposed temporary cuts on the union and could make them permanent if the workers do not approve a new agreement.

The workers approved a third offer that gave them most of what they sought, including an immediate bonus equal to 10 percent of annual wages.

But workers barely approved the plan at Ford, shocking union officials.

Ms. Katz leads one of two locals that opposed the contract, which workers approved last month.

On Feb. 18, the workers approved it, 2,240 to 941.

The striking workers unanimously approved the five-year contract yesterday morning at a meeting in Greenport, union members said.

A strike was averted in late September when workers approved new contracts.

Rover Group's 31,000 hourly workers approved their new contract by nearly 5 to 1.

If the workers approve the pact, the second shift will return to work late that afternoon.

Unions representing about half of those two railroads' 10,000 unionized workers have approved contracts calling for an 11 percent raise over three years.