today of a new contract with the Bermuda Public Services Association.

The Royal Gazette understands workers have approved a deal offering a three percent pay raise over the next year, which is an improvement over the 2.98 percent award in 1998.

But both BPSA and Government officials were tightlipped yesterday, with union president Betty Christopher saying there will be an official announcement today.

"There will be a joint statement tomorrow (Wednesday),'' she said. "The agreement is that it will be a joint statement.'' It is understood that some 101 of the union's 1,200 members okayed the new contract with an 83 percent approval rate.