OTTUMWA — Union members at John Deere ratified a new contract with the company in a vote union officials described as “overwhelming.”

The employees are members of the United Auto Workers. The six-year agreement covers almost 10,000 workers. UAW officials said the contract received 82 percent approval in votes held Sunday.

A total of 15 locations, including Ottumwa, are included in the new contract. Both Deere president and CEO Samuel Allen and UAW vice president Jimmy Settles praised the outcome. Allen called it, “good for our employees and good for our company,” while Settles said the pact, “gives our members wage gains and protections, job security improvements and pension gains they need.”

Despite the approval, not everyone was enthusiastic about the contract. Jerry Larkins, a Deere employee from Ottumwa, said he voted for it despite reservations.

“Did I like the contract proposal? No, but neither do I like the state of the economy, 10 percent unemployment, the exodus of good paying jobs ... Our negotiators did the best with the power that we gave them,” he said.

The Ottumwa facility employs about 1,000 people. Most have been subject to layoffs this year as the sour economy cut into the company’s heavy equipment sales.

Company spokespeople have said the contract and layoffs are separate issues and there is not a specific date for the return of the laid-off workers.