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Six hundred workers on Guam will receive raises this year following their unanimous ratification of a three-year contract that will bring marked improvement to the workers health and vacation plans. (See "Guam and Saipan: Pacific Islands Labors New Frontier," July/August issue, pp. 16-19.)

The workers at the naval contractor voted for IBEW representation in a historic January election victory. Lead negotiator Brian Ahakuelo, assistant business manager, Local 1260, Honolulu, Hawaii, said a tentative agreement was reached in late July following three months of bargaining. The last three days before the agreement, talks continued around the clock.

"The company and the union worked very hard on this contract," he said. "We made sure we were sensitive to the workers, the company and the Navy, that all the parties would feel that the contract is a fair contract."

The agreement includes a 3-percent wage increase the first year, and 3 percent the second and third years of the contract. It also provides a $1,000 bonus the first year, $500 the second year and $250 the last year of the pact.

Ahakuelo said the IBEW negotiators bargained better health insurance co-payments, lowering them from $125 a month to $64.

Local 1260 is also in contract talks with Nana Services, a company subcontracted by Raytheon to provide food services and recreational support services for the Navy, Ahakuelo said.