PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island — The public employee union Council 94 has ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the state of Rhode Island that includes a 6 percent pay increase.

The vote announced Friday was 1,514-to-759.

Gov. Lincoln Chafee announced a tentative agreement with Council 94 and the Coalition of Unions last month. It’s subject to ratification by each union.

The agreement provides for a four-year contract retroactive to July 2013. It calls for the first wage increase since 2011. It includes a 2 percent increase now, then another 2 percent increase this October and next October. There’s also provision to reopen wage discussions in the contract’s fourth year.

Council 94 State Vice President Lynn Loveday says the contract provides “security and stability to the services we provide to the public.”

http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/18e84c3c609d4aa48036f3de2e2e7682/RI–Union-Contract-Agreement/#.U2ZVjcb8XwJ