Saskatchewan’s two northern health regions have reached a new collective agreement with members of the provincial government employees union.

SGEU employees in the Mamawetan Churchill River and Keewatin Yatthe health regions will see wage increases of about 8.5 per cent over five-years.

SGEU represents licensed practical nurses, x-ray and lab technicians, housekeeping, maintenance and clerical workers.

Saskatchewan Association of Health Organizations Interim CEO Bernie Young says in a release that an agreement that meets the needs of the employer, union and patients has been reached.

The agreement is retroactive to April 1, 2012.

The memorandum of agreement was originally signed in December of last year.

SGEU members in the Kelsey Trail Health Region are also covered under the contract.