EPHRATA - Grant Count PUD employees working in apprenticeship crafts are given a 1.63 percent raise for their first year of employment and 3 percent increase for their second and third years of work.

The raises are part of a new union contract approved unanimously by Grant PUD commissioners Monday, according to Rita Bjork, a utility spokesperson, on Tuesday.

Linemen, electricians, hydro mechanics, power plant operators and others are in the apprenticeship crafts.

All other positions, warehouse personnel, meter readers, customer service representatives, clerical positions and non-craft laborers receive a 1 percent pay increase for 2011, she stated.

The wage for apprenticeship positions increases to 3 percent for employees' second and third year of work and other positions see a 1.5 percent increase.

As part of the new agreement, employees pay more for co-pay prescriptions on non-generic drugs from 2011-2012, she explained. 

The out-of-pocket limit, which is the amount employees pay for major medical expenses, increases for single workers and families.

During the second year of the new contract, the point of service co-pay increases from $20 to $25.

The changes to Grant PUD's health insurance program during the three-year contract period are designed to keep future medical rate increases down, she commented. The health insurance changes also affect nonunion employees.

Negotiations between the union and Grant PUD started in November for the more than 400 employees covered in the new contract.

John Trumble, IBEW business manager, said between 75-80 percent of the bargaining unit voted on the contract, ratifying it by two votes. He declined further comment.

Grant PUD's nonunion employees did not receive raises in 2011, Bjork said.