CWA approves new three-year contract

COLUMBUS – Members of Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4501 overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year contract with The Ohio State University. Voting took place last weekend on the Columbus campus, while CWA members on the regional campuses voted last week. The contract, which was effective upon ratification, runs through March 31, 2006.

The agreement includes across-the-board increases of 2.5, 2.5 and 2 percent, respectively, in each of the contract’s three years. The third year includes a provision that allows CWA employees to get the greater of 2 percent or the university’s aggregate Classified Civil Servant raise budget.
The agreement includes a total wage increase package of 9 percent over the three year period, plus adjustments to pay-range minimums and those affected by the new minimums.

Larry Lewellen, the university’s associate vice president for human resources, said the contract is “good for the university overall, for our managers and for CWA members in particular.”

Richard Murray, president of CWA Local 4501 agreed, calling the contract “reasonable in the face of current economic times and in relation to what public employees in Ohio are receiving.”

Lewellen said that the contract’s one-time adjustments were designed to increase entry-level pay rates to attract and retain talented people; prevent newer employees from advancing unfairly over those more senior; and allow selective use of shift and weekend differentials to improve retention.

In addition, Lewellen said, pilot programs will be initiated to improve attendance, management’s handling of grievances and the performance and development of new hires. Union workers also will have the ability to explore opportunities in selected areas to perform work currently done by outside contractors.

CWA represents approximately 2,000 employees who are primarily employed as service or skilled workers in Student Affairs, Physical Facilities and University Hospitals.