WireCo union workers at St. Joseph's Wire Rope plant, accept a new contract, citing the tough economy as playing a big role in their decision.

Saturday morning, workers at WireCo World Group's St. Joseph plant voted yes to a new contract by a margin of three to one, according to union representatives.

The contract took effect Sunday morning and will last until June 30, 2013.

In early January, the first contract was rejected due to certain disagreements with some of the company's proposals, including fast-track employee termination and requirements for vacation.

Lanny Mears, a machine operator, says changes in the new proposal weren't the factor that tipped the scales toward agreeing to it. He tells St. Joe Now tmany of the workers looked at the current economic situation and also the unemployment situation in the St. Joseph area which had a big impact on the vote. Mears said, "we'd be a fool to turn down a raise."

The company gave the workers an immediate raise and then a percentage increase over the next several years.