Teamster members employed by Aramark Uniform Services reached a three-year agreement with their employer over wages and health care costs, staving off a potential strike across the Midwest.

The new agreement "provides for increased wages and no increase in the percentage employees will pay for health care over the duration of the agreement," according to a news release from the labor union.

The push for increased wages came as the company, described by the union as "one of the largest uniform service providers in the Midwest," posted fourth-quarter profits that were 111% of its 2019 fourth quarter level. The company also brought in $790 million in new business, according to the union.

On January 19, the union reported that more than 180 Teamsters working in the Aramark Uniform Services were preparing to strike across the Midwest, including in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and South Dakota.

The two parties came to the agreement after 13 hours of negotiations, said Teamsters spokesperson Dave Miller.

“Our desire is always to find resolution but the offer needs to be fair to all parties. This agreement provides larger wage increases than we’ve seen in the past and freezes insurance rates for employees, which was a priority for our members," he said in a Saturday news release.

Within 48 hours, the agreement has been ratified by members across Iowa, including in Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Ottumwa, Burlington, Des Moines, Mason City and Sioux City, and in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

A spokesperson for Aramark could not be reached for comment on Saturday.

Francesca Block is a breaking news reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at FBlock@registermedia.com or on Twitter at @francescablock3.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Aramark, Teamsters reach agreement over wages, avoids strike