Union workers at N. Indiana plant take package

GOSHEN, Ind. (AP) — Union workers at a northern Indiana trailer-hitch manufacturer have voted to accept a severance agreement worth more than $3.5 million and forego arbitration.

Most of the 350 United Steelworkers Local 9550 workers at Cequent Performance Products in Goshen supported the package in votes tallied Friday night. Union Sub District 4 Director Mike O'Brien says 240 union members voted. He didn't disclose vote totals.

Workers with less than a year's seniority will receive $500 while those with 30 years or more will receive $36,000. Workers will receive company health benefits for at least a month after they're laid off.

Cequent announced in November it would move operations from the 450-employee plant 25 miles southeast of South Bend to Reynosa, Mexico, to lower shipping costs. The plant's due to close in December.