UC lecturers ratify new contract with university system

A labor union representing more than 3,000 University of California lecturers has ratified a new contract with the university, officials said Monday.

The three-year agreement between UC and the University Council-American Federation of Teachers  covers wages, health benefits, retirement contributions, instructional workload and layoffs for lecturers in the 10-campus system.

Eligible lecturers will receive a 3% pay raise retroactive to Oct. 1 and will be eligible for merit increases in 2012-13 and 2013-14.

“Lecturers provide key instructional services at our campuses,” Dwaine Duckett, UC vice president of human resources, said in a statement. “We’re pleased that we’ve reached a balanced agreement that rewards the lecturers for their hard work while taking into consideration the major funding constraints that the university is experiencing.”

The contract was ratified Sunday by about 98% of voting members, said Bob Samuels, president of the union, which also represents librarians. One important clause is the ability to negotiate if the university moves to place more courses online.

“We recognize that these are difficult economic times, but we feel good about the agreement,” Samuels said.

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-- Carla Rivera