UNH, profs' union OKs pact calling for 3% annual hikes

DURHAM, N.H. - The University of New Hampshire administration and the UNH chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP)-Tenure Track have reached agreement on a contract to be effective from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2020.

The agreement was ratified by the executive committee of the University System of New Hampshire board of trustees on Feb. 18, 2016, and the members of the bargaining unit on March 23, 2016.

"I want to commend Candace Corvey, UNH's chief negotiator, and the bargaining unit for the productive negotiations," said UNH President Mark W. Huddleston. "The end result is a contract that balances a competitive compensation package with fiscal responsibility."

The agreement keeps faculty salaries at the average of the university's comparators, which is a goal established by Huddleston and the board of trustees. The contract provides for annual salary increases of 3 percent. This increase is consistent with UNH's comparator institutions who have recently settled contracts. It also calls for a number of structural changes in health benefit plans, as well as increases in the employee share of health premiums. These health benefit changes will save UNH $5 million over the five-year contract and better align with external changes in the healthcare market while providing faculty with a range of choices.

"This agreement aligns with the university's commitment to a total compensation package that continues to attract and retain talented faculty and staff by keeping pace with the marketplace as its resources allow. I am pleased with the positive nature of the negotiations and thank the bargaining unit leadership," said Candace Corvey, UNH's chief negotiator.