Pittsburgh refuse workers ratified a new contract yesterday evening, enabling the city to avert a strike just as Major League Baseball All-Star activities kicked into high gear.

The workers voted 101 to 24 to approve the contract, which runs through 2010, during a sometimes contentious meeting at the Teamsters Temple in Lawrenceville. The vote came shortly after city and union negotiators reached a tentative deal.

"Under the circumstances of Act 47, I think it was the best possible contract that we could have gotten, and we look forward to going to work tomorrow to continue to do the great job for the city that these guys do on a daily basis," Teamsters local 249 Vice President Joe Rossi said after the ratification vote.

Mr. Rossi praised the work of Mayor Bob O'Connor and his staff in helping to bang out the new contract. He said Mr. O'Connor's personal involvement paved the way for a deal.

"This administration came forth for the employees of the city, this department, and showed them that they really appreciate the work that they do, the hard work that they do every day," he said.

The deal gives most of the refuse workers no raise this year or next, and 2.5 percent increases in each of the three years to follow, levels within guidelines set in the city's state-approved fiscal recovery plan, Mr. Rossi said.

It also includes a $750 bonus for each employee, payable next year.

It boosts the pay of animal control workers, who have long received less than collectors, starting in 2008, and gives them additional duties.

The workers will opt out of the city's health insurance plan and instead join one managed by the Teamsters. The city and the employees will each pay part of the premium. The employees will pay a higher premium than most other city workers but will receive full coverage, rather than the 90 percent coverage those in most other departments have.

Refuse truck crews will include three workers, speeding collections. As a result, the number of collection routes will be reduced from 44 to 32. Bulk collection will occur weekly, rather than once every four weeks.

B.J. Leber, Mr. O'Connor's chief of staff, said "everything sort of came together" yesterday, enabling the two sides to reach an agreement. She said the mayor wanted to "thank Joe Rossi and his team" for their efforts.

"It was a very serious, focused effort to make sure that a valued group of employees was treated fairly," she said.

Mr. Rossi said about 173 refuse collectors and animal control workers are affected by the contract. He said the threat of a possible strike on the eve of the All-Star Game gave the union some leverage.

"I think we used it to our advantage," he said.

Dan Antonio was one worker who voted for the contract.

"We've got four more years," he said. "Half the guys liked it, half the guys don't, but it's something to live with."

"They did good. They did good for us."

But Robert Winston, another union member, didn't like the deal. He said it would take some workers years to get up to the top tier for pay.

"We're the hardest workers and still the lowest paid in the city," he said.