09:22 AM PST on Thursday, April 1, 2004

Associated Press

The union that represents 400 workers at Powell's Books, a landmark bookstore in Portland, has approved a new contract, ending a bitter nine-month labor dispute.

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The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 5 voted this week to approve the 3 1/2 year contract, which will take effect Thursday, according to a news release issued jointly by the company and the union. The agreement provides wage increases of 2 percent a year and signing bonuses of $100 a member.

Employees' share of the cost of the company's health care plan will increase in the third year of the contract from 15 percent to 16 percent. Prescription drug copays also will rise slightly to between $10 and $30.