The membership of AFSCME Local 698 at the University of Illinois ratified a new two year agreement today by more than a ten to one margin. The new collective bargaining agreement calls for a 2.5% wage increase effective March 1, 2004 with another 2.25% increase on August 29, 2004.
Jerry L. Wright, Staff Representative with AFSCME Council 31, and the Union's lead negotiator, said "We are glad our membership has approved the new agreement, it was recommended for approval by the Local Union's bargaining committee. This is only a two year agreement because we couldn't come to terms on three year agreement." Wright said the old agreement expired in August of 2003 and the new one will expire in August of 2005, "that means in just over a year we will be back at the bargaining table with the University."
Gregg Homerding, President of AFSCME Local 698 for the past four years said, "This contract is not as good as our last contact but considering these economic times we did all right. Our members will see their wages go up this year by 4.75%, and that isn't too bad." |