The new 18-month contract for Professional and Managerial Association (PMA)-eligible employees has been ratified by The University of Western Ontario Board of Governors.
The agreement, which is retroactive to May 1, includes a three per cent increase in the salary ranges for PMA-eligible staff members.
Details of the agreement were announced in a letter signed by Jane O’Brien, Associate Vice-President (Human Resources), and Hallie McClelland, PMA president.
The contract allows for a basic adjustment of 1.5 per cent, a merit pool of two per cent and maximum career trajectory of 1.55 per cent for eligible employees. The total cost of the agreement is 3.9 per cent.
“Despite what has been a difficult year for Western, the agreement was reached in a short period of time, reflecting a cooperative negotiating process and a positive relationship that continues between the university and PMA,” says Jane O’Brien, Associate Vice-President (Human Resources).
Negotiating a new contract under the current financial climate has not been easy, however McClelland says both sides came together to reach an agreement that serves the needs of the membership.
“We are very pleased with the support from our membership on this contract,” says McClelland.
The length of the contract brings PMA within the negotiating cycle of other employee groups on campus, she adds.
“An 18-month contract allows us to negotiate the next contract after the other employee groups have completed their contract negotiations, so that helps us because we will be able to see what the other groups get,” she says.
McClelland thanked the efforts of the negotiating committee, who volunteered their time on behalf of the membership.