Avista Gets Contract With Union Workers

Avista Corp. and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 77, have reached agreement on a three-year contract extension.

The pact, announced Wednesday, covers 650 linemen, as well as natural gas, telecommunications and hydroelectric workers.

They will receive pay raises of 3 percent in each of the first two years of the contract, and 2.5 percent the third year.

The extension takes effect March 26. It expires March 26, 2002.

Company spokesman Steve Becker said no rate hikes will be filed to cover the additional payroll costs.