CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. -- After a slew of hearings and arbitration meetings, Freightcar America and the United Steel Workers Union have reached a tentative agreement when it comes to employee benefits and contracts. Officials said if it's approved by union members and a federal judge, it could bring years of drama to an end.

"I believe it's a fair agreement but that will be up to the union members to decide if they like it or not," said Raymond Jastrzab with the union.

Jastrzab has been part of the negotiations with Freightcar for the last several weeks. He said on Thursday night the situation between the company and the union came to a head and an agreement was reached. However, he won't disclose the exact details of that agreement right now.

"I think I should tell my membership first and let them hear it from me," said Jastrzab.

The issues at hand include employee pensions, contract negotiations and litigation. It's all being lumped in together into what's called a global settlement, in an effort to get the conflict resolved. Even though union reps said they are pleased with the result, the agreement is bittersweet.

"You try to do the best you possibly can for your membership," said Jastrzab. "Even though you may get pension or severance, the idea of losing that many jobs, you just can't replace them."

If the agreement is approved by the union and Judge Kim Gibson in federal court, it could seal the plant's fate to never reopen, but with one stipulation.

"Part of the agreement is that they won't sell the plant for at least a year," said Jastrzab. "It depends on what's happening with the market and if it jumps back up. It's all about what's happening in the world."

There is a meeting next Tuesday at Ace's Lounge in Cambria City for Freightcar workers so the tentative agreement can be explained. It starts at 11 a.m. The union will then vote on it on Thursday.