^{Photo courtesy: Texas AFL*CIO}

TEXAS CITY — A 42-day unfair labor practice strike at Ashland Specialty Chemicals has ended after the Texas City Metal Trades Council announced it reached a new labor agreement with the company, according to a statement to KGTX 7, provided by AFL*CIO.

The council said workers are expected to return to work under a new three-year contract that includes a 9.25% wage increase, 80 hours of paid incidental sick leave, 25 weeks of short-term disability leave, increased vacation days, limited incidental craft work, restored packager bidding rights and restored seniority for bidding on new positions.

The Texas City Metal Trades Council began contract negotiations with Ashland on June 1. According to the union, the strike began June 24 after the previous contract expired.

“Our Texas City Metal Trades Council members showed up for each other, every single day,” lead negotiator Lewis Crawford, business agent for IUOE Local 564, said in a statement. He credited union members for remaining united throughout the strike.

Texas AFL-CIO President Leonard Aguilar said the agreement demonstrates what workers can accomplish by standing together, while Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation Executive Director Hany Khalil said labor organizations across the region supported the workers during the strike.

The Texas City Metal Trades Council represents members of four unions: the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 564, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 527, United Association Local 211 and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 776.