Union workers at Federal-Mogul's (USA) Blacksburg, Virginia engine bearing plant are back at work, ending a three-day strike.

Represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local 2533, the 222 members walked off the job after third shift, Sunday April 13.

Blacksburg employs a total of 320 people.

At issue was the current contract's wage package. Signed in 2005, the four-year pact would have run through 2009 -- but contains an option to reopen wage rate negotiations after three years.

The IAMAW exercised this option at this juncture, reportedly because Federal-Mogul has now successfully exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The 2005 contract froze wages at an average of $16.06 per hour. Blacksburg's new pact increases all hourly wages by $0.42 per hour immediately, and another $0.42 per hour in March 2009.

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