Red Vines workers end strike

Workers at Union City’s American Licorice factory voted Tuesday to accept a company contract proposal and return to their jobs.

Bakery workers Local 125 called the strike December 5 in protest of increases to employee contributions to the company health plan, and a smaller-than-expected pay increase.

A federal mediator joined company and union representatives yesterday for the first day of face-to-face talks. Union members voted 81 to 61 in favor of returning to work and accepting the company’s proposal already on the table.

The new contract includes a 30-cent per hour retroactive raise for 2011, and 35-cent raises this year and next. Employees will need to begin paying half of their health care deductibles beginning in 2013.