USA approves new contract

lerical and technical staff voted Aug. 23 to ratify a new, three-year contract, according to Donna Johnson, University Staff Association president.

      The bargaining agreement was approved by a vote of 253-46, said John-son. The union represents about 1,100 campus employees.

      The contract, which must still be funded by the state, calls for base rate increases totaling 8.5 percent over three years plus the addition of two new salary steps to the current 12-step system. The 13th and 14th steps are 2 percent higher than the current 12th step, according to Nick Marshall, Labor Relations administrator.