NNSL (JAN 06/97) - Workers at Hay River's H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital have voted 100 per cent in favor of accepting a two-year contract at the institution.

The contract calls for a three- to four-per-cent roll back in benefits, but wages remain unchanged, said Donna Heslop, president of the Union of Northern Workers Local 21.

About 55 per cent of the 85-member bargaining unit voted Dec. 19. All accepted the deal. Management approved the contract Dec. 20.

Before the deal was reached, the union, which represents everyone from nurses and laundry workers to lab technicians, threatened to strike if an agreement was not reached.

"I believe that had a lot to do with it (the agreement), especially with the town just taking us over," said Heslop. "They knew we were serious about walking out."

But David Mathews, executive officer of the local health board, played down the threat of a strike.

"That is one perception," he said. "The important thing is we were able to achieve a settlement both sides seem happy with."

The new contract is good until March 31, 1998. It includes: workers taking a cut in their housing allowance from $5,400 to $4,000; having ultimate removal expenses capped at $5,226; and a 75-cent-premium for all hours worked on weekends.

The previous contract expired March 31, 1996.