DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Union employees at Anderson Erickson Dairy are returning to work in Des Moines after suspending their strike at the end of its first day.

The company and the Teamsters union agreed on Monday evening to meet Oct. 3 to discuss union members' health care benefits.

The union voted Sunday to strike and set up pickets across the street from the plant. The company had planned to hire replacement workers.

Union Local 120 vice president Mike Klootwyk says the contract offer rejected Sunday would have required workers to accept a pay freeze and to pay significantly more for health care insurance.

The most recent four-year contract between the company and the 300 Teamster members expired in March.