Goodyear and the United Steelworkers have agreed to extend their labor contract by four weeks. The existing three-year deal was set to expire Saturday; it was extended to Aug. 15.

The two sides began negotiating a new contract last month in Cincinnati. The deal will cover seven U. S. facilities, including the Goodyear Dunlop Tires North America plant in the Town of Tonawanda, which has 948 hourly workers represented by the Steelworkers.

“The two sides realized it will take additional time to reach common ground on some of the more complex issues,” said Ed Markey, a Goodyear spokesman.

The union, which represents 10,300 workers at the seven plants. has identified safeguarding jobs and plants, along with ensuring new investment in the plants, as priorities in the talks. Goodyear has pointed to productivity, flexibility, pensions and benefits as top issues.

Asked about the progress in the talks, Markey said: “We have a very professional relationship with the (union) and the negotiations have reflected that level of professionalism.”

“When talks continue, it’s always a positive,” said Gerald Dickey, a Steelworkers spokesman in Pittsburgh. “We’re just trying to reach an agreement.”

The Sheridan Drive plant makes tires for passenger cars, commercial trucks and motorcycles. It cut about 150 jobs late last year through buyouts and layoffs.

In addition to hourly workers, the Tonawanda plant has 152 salaried workers, plus about 40 salaried employees at offices in Amherst, for a combined work force of about 1,140.

The manufacturing plant produces an average of 5,500 motorcycle tires, 4,200 passenger tires and 2,000 truck tires per day.