DAYTON, Ohio -- Officials with IUE-CWA Local 775 said workers have approved a proposed contract with the Behr Company, saving 900 jobs.

The proposed agreement was approved with 538 votes. Officials said 261 votes were against the agreement.

Officials with Behr America and representatives of IUE-CWA reached the new labor agreement last week.

The Union membership voted on the agreement Tuesday. The new labor agreement will replace the company’s current contract which expired on Oct. 15.

Labor agreement negotiations happened at a defining moment for the North American automotive supply industry, for Behr America, and its employees in Dayton. Behr is implementing a comprehensive restructuring plan which it hopes will secure the company’s return to profitability in 2011.

Difficult to achieve restructuring measures have reduced the company’s salaried workforce by 40 percent. Behr is taking steps to consolidate its manufacturing footprint in North America as well.

“Negotiations with the IUE were extremely difficult, but we had the same goal – reaching an agreement on a new contract that would secure employment for around 900 the Behr plant in Dayton,” said Heinz Otto, Behr America’s president and CEO. “The IUE-CWA leadership and local committee argued on behalf of their members, and Behr management had to to ensure a competitive cost level which will secure the Plant’s future. Now, it is up to the votes of the members. Assuming the majority votes yes, the workforce will know before Thanksgiving that the jobs will stay in Dayton.”

Behr makes automotive parts.