Unionized workers at Hawaiian Telcom have scheduled a vote on an amended contract offer made by the company in an attempt to end a monthlong labor dispute, the two sides announced Tuesday.

The company said it will defer the previously announced unilateral implementation of its "last, best and final" offer while members of IBEW Local 1357 vote on the new proposal. Ballots were mailed out Tuesday and must be returned by Dec. 12. Results of the vote will be announced Dec. 13.

Hawaiian Telcom’s new proposal calls for phasing in an increase in the amount employees must contribute to their health care premium. Employees, who currently pay nothing for their coverage, would be required to contribute 5 percent in 2012 and 10 percent beginning in 2013. Hawaiian Telcom’s previous contract offer called for workers to contribute 10 percent immediately. The new contract would take effect Jan. 1 and extend through June 2015.

The company also eased up on its proposed reduction in paid sick leave. The new contract offer calls for a reduction in paid sick leave to 10 weeks from 26 weeks. Hawaiian Telcom previously had proposed reducing paid sick leave to eight weeks from 26 weeks.

Other changes in the latest proposal include a decrease in the target annual incentive payment, and a withdrawal of proposed changes to overtime computations and certain work procedures.

Hawaiian Telcom’s previous offer of a 1 percent annual pay raise over the next three years was not changed.

The latest negotiations were conducted with the assistance of a federal mediator. The two sides agreed that during the voting there would be no work stoppages, slowdowns or lockouts.

"The updated offer represents a good-faith effort by both parties to address each other’s needs and concerns toward achieving a mutually agreeable CBA (collective bargaining agreement) while standing by the financial framework of the company’s last, best and final offer made in October," the company said in a news release.

Scot Long, business manager for IBEW 1357, outlined the company’s new offer in a memo to union members.

"We have been relentless in our pursuit of getting the company back to the bargaining table," Long said. "And with the help of a federal mediator, the company has made some adjustments to its last, best and final offer."