(CHICAGO) –– Teamsters Local 727 ended its unfair labor practice strike against Coca-Cola Refreshments late on Tuesday, Dec. 29, after reaching tentative agreement on a fair three-year contract for 319 production and warehouse workers.

Upon ratification, the tentative agreement will transfer Local 727 members into a new health and welfare plan previously available to Coca-Cola management. The health care improvements translate to significant out-of-pocket cost savings for workers, who will receive annual wage increases and employer-matched 401(K) retirement benefit contributions under the terms of the agreement. Raises in the first year will be retroactive to May 1, 2015.

Local 727 members initiated the unfair labor practice strike on Dec. 3. Workers are returning to their regular schedules at facilities in Niles and Alsip, Ill., effective immediately.

“These hardworking men and women walked the picket line for 27 days fighting for respect and a fair contract from their employer, and they’ve achieved both,” said John T. Coli, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 727. “Our members should be extremely proud of themselves for taking a stand to change the culture at Coca-Cola. This tentative agreement is a strong step forward for hundreds of workers whose collective demand for respect has been heard loud and clear by their employer.”

The Local 727 Coca-Cola membership is reviewing all provisions of the tentative agreement and the Bargaining Committee is recommending it for ratification. A contract vote date will be announced soon.

Teamsters Local 727 is an affiliate of Teamsters Joint Council 25, America’s premier labor union for Chicago, Illinois and northwest Indiana.

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