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Last week, a National Mediation Board-appointed arbitrator issued a decision settling contract issues between the National Carriers' Conference Committee (NCCC) and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

The arbitration award calls for wage increases retroactive to June 30, 2002, health insurance contribution increases retroactive to July 1, 2001, and percentage increases to health care costs paid by IBEW-represented employees.

In November 2000, NCCC and IBEW officials began negotiating a new contract. The parties reached tentative agreements three times, but union members failed to ratify the pacts in July 2001, October 2003 and March 2004.

NCCC and IBEW representatives requested arbitration in August because they were unable to reach an agreement on how much employees should contribute toward health insurance cost increases.