Pact possible for MTS, union

labour • Manitoba Telecom Services Inc. has a tentative collective agreement with the union for 1,200 employees in professional and managerial roles at MTS Inc.

The deal comes two weeks after the Telecommunications Employees Association of Manitoba voted for strike action for the first time in its 40-year history. The first possible date for a strike was July 16.

The union says the threeyear agreement calls for increases to base salary of two per cent, two per cent and 1.7 per cent.

It also provides for an agreement on contracting in work as well as new paidleave and vacation provisions for new employees.

There are no changes on paid leave days, vacation or overtime for current members of TEAM.