From United Press International

VANDALIA, OH -- Workers of Delphi Corp.'s thermal and interior plant in Vandalia, Ohio, have voted to accept a wage freeze in lieu of losing their jobs.

More than 60 percent of the workers, who build automotive door panels and air bags, chose the so-called "Survival Plan," the Dayton Daily News reports.

The vote came after a Delphi division president gave them an ultimatum this month to make the plant profitable or risk its closure next year, the report said.

In an effort to create a seven percent profit, the United Steelworkers of America Local 87 worked with Delphi management to offer the plant's workers a three-year plan that freezes their annual 3 percent raises. The plan will also add stricter penalties for absenteeism, reduce work breaks to 10 minutes and offer a buyout as high as $35,000 for eligible employees.

Since 1999 when Delphi split from General Motors Corp., it has struggled with high employee costs, either through premium wages or pensions, the report said.

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