UC officials announced last week that UC had reached a tentative agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees on a new, three-year labor contract for UC's 7,300 service workers.

Once ratified by AFSCME, the agreement will be effective from the date of ratification through Jan. 31, 2008.

"We believe this agreement is fair and financially realistic given our resources and the level of state salary funding promised under our budget compact with the governor," said Howard Pripas, UC director of labor relations.

Highlights of the April 20 agreement include:

Wages: 3 percent across-the-board wage increases, effective Oct. 1, 2005; 3 percent across-the-board increases in year two; and a 4 percent increase in year three of the contract, consistent with the university's budget compact with the governor and subject to final state funding appropriations in each year;

Health benefits: UC will maintain its current salary-based approach to health insurance premiums through 2009;

Professional development and training: Expanded employee development and training resources, including 24 hours per year of paid career development, and the establishment of a labor-management committee to identify career paths and promotional opportunities;

Parking rates: AFSCME-represented employees will receive the same parking rates as other represented staff at the same location with the same parking access.

UC and AFSCME began negotiations for service employees in July 2004. The union held a one-day strike on April 14, which the university believes was unlawful given that the bargaining process had not been completed. The university has not decided whether to file an official complaint against the union for the strike, or if any other action will be taken.

UC employs more than 160,000 people and negotiates with 15 unions representing approximately 60,000 UC employees throughout the state.