Members of IBEW Local 1600 have approved a new four-year contract with PP&L, Inc. The results of the ratification vote were announced Monday evening (6/29) by IBEW leaders.

"We are very pleased that this contract, which contains important improvements for both the company and IBEW members, was approved," said Charlie Pinto, PP&L, Inc.'s vice president-Human Resources. "The new contract recognizes the challenges that the company and IBEW Local 1600 face in the transition to a new electricity marketplace while appropriately compensating employees who provide service that customers rate as among the best in the nation."

Bill Schmitt, president of IBEW Local 1600, said, "This agreement provides increased job and financial security for our members and their families while maintaining Local 1600's position with other IBEW utility workers in the mid-Atlantic region."

Negotiators for PP&L, Inc. and IBEW Local 1600 reached a tentative agreement on June 5. The four-year pact provides improved flexibility in work rules and establishes competitive wage rates for new endeavors, such as customer call centers. It also calls for a wage increase of 3.25 percent for IBEW members in 1998 and 3 percent increases in each of the remaining three years of the agreement.

IBEW Local 1600 represents 4,100 PP&L, Inc. employees.