Union employees of L-3 Vertex Aerospace at Naval Air Station Meridian will vote Wednesday on a new contract offer.

In a statement Monday, L-3 Vertex said it and the International Association of Machinists reached a tentative agreement on a new contract for represented employees at NAS Meridian.

The workers had voted Saturday to reject a contract offer by the company.

The new offer diverted a strike scheduled to begin Monday.

Around 250 machinists provide aircraft maintenance for the Navy at Meridian.

Union spokesman Bob Wood said the union committee recommended the membership accept the new contract. He said the current agreement will be extended one week to allow the membership to vote on the new offer.