LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. (Oct. 16 14, 2001) — Amid uncertain times in the North American trucking industry, assembly workers at Mack Trucks ratified a new three-year master contract.

The new deal covers about 3700 employees represented by the United Auto Workers at Mack facilities in four states. It will expire on Oct. 1, 2004.

“With this agreement, Mack and the UAW have demonstrated their commitment to maintaining an effective working relationship, and meeting the needs of our customers,” said Mack president and CEO Paul L. Vikner. “Beyond helping us meet the current economic and market challenges the truck industry is facing, this agreement will help to position us for continued growth when the market rebounds.”

Mack announced on Sept. 28 that operations at its Winnsboro, S.C., assembly facility would be phased-out over the next 15 months, and the agreement includes special early retirement, relocation, severance, and out-placement provisions for the 1067 UAW-represented employees who work at the plant — 385 of whom are laid off.