Hawker Beechcraft and the machinists union reached a tentative deal on a new contract late Sunday night.

Machinists' spokesman Bob Wood said this contract is a significant improvement on the last offer, which was voted down by the union.

He said the new offer freezes vision and dental health care coverage, meaning the 4% annual raise in wages won't be eaten up by health care premiums. The company also made improvements to pensions and overtime provisions.

Pension benefits will increase by $7 per month per year of service, all front-loaded and available January 1, 2009. Additionally, HBC withdrew proposals that would have decreased earned time off for new hires and would have downgraded two job codes.

Wood praised federal mediators for helping broker the deal after three tough days of negotiations.

The negotiating team worked through the weekend with a federal mediator to reach this proposal.

A vote on the proposed contract will take place Thursday at the Kansas Coliseum. Doors open at 9 a.m, with the vote at 10 a.m. Voting will continue until 2 p.m.

If the new contract is approved, the strike will end immediately and workers will return to work next Tuesday. If they do return to work Tuesday, they will also be paid for Monday's Labor Day Holiday.

Stay with KAKE News and kake.com for continuing updates on this developing story.