SASK WATER UNION MEMBERS RATIFY NEW AGREEMENT

The members of Communications, Energy and Paperworkers' Union Local

820 have voted 79 per cent in favour of ratifying a new collective

bargaining agreement with SaskWater. The contract includes a general

wage increase of two per cent in each of the three years of the

agreement, which runs from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2000.



CEP Local 820 represents 175 Sask Water employees throughout

Saskatchewan.



"Achieving this contract has been a long and at times difficult

process," Debbie Firth, president of CEP Local 820, said. "However,

we believe the contract has laid the groundwork necessary for

continued improvements to our relationship with the corporation, in an

atmosphere of respect, co-operation and trust building."



"The members of CEP Local 820 are a vital part of our organization and

I am pleased we were able to reach this negotiated collective

agreement," SaskWater President Ron Styles said. "I am very confident

they will continue to perform the outstanding work they have done in

the past."



This contract represents the first collective agreement since the

inception of CEP Local 820 in September 1997. Sask Water's

unionized employees were previously represented by the Sask Water

Employees' Association.



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For more information, contact:



Debbie Firth Ron Styles

President President

CEP Local 820 Sask Water

Phone: (306) 694-3907 Phone: (306) 694-3903