Hawaiian Telcom announced Friday that the union-represented employees have voted to ratify a five-year collective bargaining agreement that will be in effect from Jan. 1, 2013 through Dec. 31, 2017.

On Dec. 14, the company and union leadership jointly announced to employees the achievement of an agreement.

Union leaders then met with members statewide to discuss the agreement, and a ratification vote was conducted by mail over the past two weeks.

Throughout the new five-year collective bargaining agreement there will be annual wage increases, a 401(k) matching program, and a fixed-percentage employee contribution to health insurance premiums.

The annual wage increase will be 1 percent each of the first two years, 1.5 percent in the third year, and 2 percent each of the last two years.

Hawaiian Telcom will be matching under its 401(k) plan up to 10 percent of base salary while freezing the defined benefit pension plan.

The employee contribution of 5 percent of the premiums for health care coverage is part of the deal.  Employees will also get up to 13 weeks of fully-paid sick leave annually.