UT trustees approve contract with non-faculty workers

The University of Toledo board of trustees today approved a collective bargaining agreement with the union representing non-faculty workers at the college.

The three-year agreement with Communication Workers of America Local 4319, which represents about 515 workers, provides 3.5 percent wage increases during the first two years.

Nagi Naganathan, interim dean of the university, told the board the new contract won ratification by 92 percent of union members who voted.

“I believe this embodies the philosophy of the positive relationship the new university administration is committed to,” Mr. Naganathan said. "Our hope is that this new agreement will also help pave the way for continued constructive dialogue with all of the bargaining units.”

A 2.5 percent wage increase in the first year of the contract is retroactive to May 1. Employees will receive 1 percent increases on Jan. 1, and there is a wage reopener for 2016, university and union officials said.

According to UT spokesman Jonathan Strunk, the cost of the wage increases during the two years will be $615,000.