Battle Creek, Michigan – One of the biggest labor strikes in the country has come to an end as Kellogg's workers agreed to ratify the company's latest contract offer.

Around 1,400 Kellogg workers at plants in Battle Creek, Michigan; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Omaha, Nebraska; and Memphis, Tennessee, walked out on October 5, demanding a fair contract from the cereal company.

Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) International President Anthony Shelton stated, "Our striking members at Kellogg’s ready-to-eat cereal production facilities courageously stood their ground and sacrificed so much in order to achieve a fair contract. This agreement makes gains and does not include any concessions."

The new contract offers an immediate raise with yearly cost-of-living adjustments. Healthcare plans will remain the same, and legacy employees will see an increase in pension benefits.

The agreement also guarantees that no more US plants will be closed between now and October 2026, when the contract is set to expire.

But the two-tier system that distinguishes between longer-serving and newer employees – one of the primary sticking points for workers up until now – remains in place.

Still, several changes were made that allow transitional workers a potential pathway into legacy roles with better benefits. Employees with at least four years' experience at the company will be immediately bumped into the legacy tier upon ratification.

Each year after that, another 3% of workers at each plant will moved into the legacy category.

Despite those improvements to the system, Trevor Bidelman, BCTGM Local 3G president, told Huff Post, "Unfortunately, I think some people will get stuck in transitional [roles]. At our local we were a little disappointed. That being said, we’ve got to take some time and reflection."

Two weeks prior, workers rejected a very similar contract offer from Kellogg. The company's recent threat to permanently fire striking workers may have been the reason many chose to accept the latest proposal, according to Bidelman.

"The replacement threat was really the biggest piece," he said.

Nevertheless, he and many of his co-workers said they were proud of what they had accomplished together and hoped they could serve as an inspiration for others seeking better treatment on the job.

"Our entire Union commends and thanks Kellogg’s members. From picket line to picket line, Kellogg’s union members stood strong and undeterred in this fight, inspiring generations of workers across the globe, who were energized by their tremendous show of bravery as they stood up to fight and never once backed down," Shelton's statement continued.

"The BCTGM is grateful, as well, for the outpouring of fraternal support we received from across the labor movement for our striking members at Kellogg’s. Solidarity was critical to this great workers’ victory."

Kellogg also released a statement saying that employees would return to work the week of December 27.