United Steelworkers Local 1998, representing over 5,000 vital U of T staff, secured a new three-year contract with university administration on Monday.

The agreement came after the union nearly called a strike on the first day of classes when months of negotiations broke down.

Though the Local 1998’s workers may not be as visible as the faculty, the university would be crippled without them. Many of the university’s technical and administrative staff, including IT workers, housing staff, and lab staff are members of the union.

In its notes to staff, students, and faculty on the eve of a possible strike, the university admitted that registrarial services would be curtailed and that classes needing IT or lab support would continue in a basic, pared-down manner on all three campuses. With the ratification of this agreement, students can be assured the university will remain fully functional for the foreseeable future.

“[The agreement is] responsive and responsible…it provides some stability for us,” said vice president of human resources Angela Hildyard. Alison Dubarry, president of Local 1998, was more ambivalent.

“Obviously, there is always more that can be done, but I think we were able to get a contract without concessions.”

The agreement, which was ratified on September 19, secured a number of union demands. It will raise employee pay by three per cent for the next three years, yielding a nine per cent increase by 2008. For an employee making $46,847 before the agreement, this means a raise to $51,203.

The pay scales have been modified to allow workers to get to the top earning bracket for their positions more quickly. In addition, the union has secured three days of professional development, an extra week of pregnancy leave, and an increase in their pension paid by the university.

Workers paid a median salary who retire with 30 years of service could see their university pension pay about $1,800 a month, based on a formula that takes the federally provided Canada Pension Plan as its base.

In addition to pay and benefits, there have also been changes to make U of T a more equitable workplace. Better accommodations for disabled staff and a greater institutional sensitivity for workers returning from bereavement and sick leave were also included in the agreement, for which more than 90 per cent of union members voted in favour.