MARQUETTE - Northern Michigan University's administrative professionals
union recently voted to ratify a new three-year contract by a 106-6 margin.
The union represents 178 Northern employees.
"I think it's pretty clear that the union is satisfied with the process," said Jon Barch, president of United Auto Workers 2178, which represents the administrative professionals at NMU. "Of course, it's not everything that anyone would want but both sides were reasonable. We worked together to do what's in the best interest of the union and the university.
The agreement features base salary increases of 2 percent the first and third years and 2.25 percent the second year. There is also a $500 base increase for each employee in year one. The union will also shift to a new health care plan that includes adjustments to co-pays and annual deductibles. The required health care contribution per member will increase
each year of the contract, amounting to a 20 percent share of total health care costs on an annual basis by the third year of the contract.
Jackie Stark can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242.