Three-year contract provides wage increases ATHENS, Ohio (Feb. 28, 2007) -- Ohio University and AFSCME Ohio Council 8, Local 1699, tonight announced that they have reached agreement on a new three-year contract.
Members of the local approved the agreement by a vote of 390 to 136. Highlights include:
- Wage increases of 2.5 percent in the first year, 3 percent in the second year, and 3.25 percent in the third year.
- Employees will contribute a greater share of health care premiums and drug co-payments, coming closer to the amounts currently paid by faculty and staff. The increases will be phased in over the life of the contract.
- The agreement allows for more flexibility in scheduling and staffing.
Dave Logan, Local 1699 president, said, "This is a good contract. We are pleased with the three-year deal. It gives us the job security we've been looking for, and we are happy to have the wage and insurance issues settled."
"This is an excellent contract for both the employees and the university," said William R. Decatur, vice president of finance and administration. "It provides a very competitive and fair compensation package while helping the university meet its budgetary challenges."
Officials described the talks as demanding but a good experience. "There were many compromises. Both sides gave quite a bit," Logan said.
The contract is subject to approval by the university's Board of Trustees at a special meeting that is yet to be scheduled.
AFSCME represents some 645 skilled trades and service employees at the Athens campus, 18 at the Zanesville campus and nine at the Chillicothe campus.
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Media Contact: Acting Senior Director of Media Relations Sally Linder, 740-597-1793 or linders@ohio.edu
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