Eighteen of 21 bargaining units under NAPE have accepted the latest offers made by the employer, but it’s back to the table for three bargaining units.

Overall, 72 per cent of NAPE members employed by government and Memorial University voted in favour of the agreements, however, the deal was rejected by the units representing correctional officers, air services and marine services.

Lab and X-Ray workers accepted the deal, but only by a very small margin.

NAPE President Jerry Earle says the voting results reflect the unique workplace issues and concerns in certain sectors.

Corrections is a challenging working environment, with unique issues that some in high-level positions and in some cases, management, fail to recognize says Earle.

Marine workers, who operate the interprovincial ferries including Bell Island and Fogo Island, went on strike a few years ago.

The new agreement includes an 8 per cent increase over four years, a $2,000 dollar pro-rated recognition bonus, and what the union calls “substantial” language improvements.

Some other highlights of the new collective agreement include increases to travel on employer’s business provisions including meal allowances and reimbursements for vehicle use, increases in protective clothing and uniform allowances, and the formation of a joint committee to identify issues with recruitment and retention in all bargaining units.