Ohio University today announced that a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) has been accepted by members of AFSCME Local 1699 who planned to stop work March 1 at 5:01 p.m. upon expiration of their former agreement. Instead, they will continue working under their new agreement, which is effective March 1, 2013 through March 1, 2016.

AFSCME represents approximately 511 skilled trade and service employees at the Athens campus, 17 at the Zanesville campus and 11 at the Chillicothe campus.

Linda Lonsinger, associate vice president for human resources, said the University is happy that an agreement was reached.

“We are glad that an agreement has been reached and are looking forward to the continued contributions of our AFSCME member employees,” she said. “They are an important part of the success of this University.”

Details of the new CBA:

• Changes in language to implement the University’s RCM initiative

• Wage increase of 2 percent in the first year

• Increase in insurance contributions by the employees and a commitment to working together on an overall benefits strategy in anticipation of the Affordable Care Act implications