Upper Darby Township has reached a contract agreement with its municipal workers, writes Kenny Cooper for WHYY.

Transport Workers Union of America Local 234, representing 115 municipal workers in Upper Darby, had unanimously voted to authorize a strike Monday for as early as New Year’s Day.

The walkout would have affected trash collection, street maintenance and animal control, among other services.

The new agreement includes wage increases and other benefits in exchange for the workers contributing more toward their health benefits, according to a township press release.

The new contract takes effect Jan. 1 and runs through December 2027. The previous contract was set to expire Dec. 31.

“The negotiations were very productive, and I appreciate the earnest effort from both parties in balancing the needs of our employees with those of the taxpayers,” said Crandall Jones, Upper Darby Township’s chief administrative officer, in a press release.

The township stated the agreement improves Upper Darby’s “fiscal position.”

TWU Local 234 did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Union representatives, in initially calling for a strike, alleged that Upper Darby officials had stalled negotiations and offered an “outrageous” contract proposal Dec. 4. That claim was denied by township officials.

Find out more about the new contract agreement at WHYY.