Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. announced that United Steelworkers Local 752L overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year labor agreement at the company's Texarkana, Ark., plant. The agreement, which affects approximately 1,500 union members, received a 1006-to-141 endorsement as reported shortly after voting concluded at 9:00 p.m. EST. The parties are equally consistent in their optimism for the future of the Texarkana facility and the ability of the plant employees to be even more productive under the terms of the new contract. In addition to wage and benefit changes which will be implemented over the course of the four-year accord, the company plans additional investment in the plant, which was applauded by both salaried and hourly employees.