University of California officials announced today (Aug. 1) that UC firefighters have ratified a new labor contract. The agreement, which runs through Sept. 30, 2006, covers UC's firefighters at the Davis and Santa Cruz campuses.
 
"Our firefighters are vital to maintaining the safety and protection of the campus, students, faculty and staff and we are very pleased to have reached agreement with the union on a contract that we think is fair and recognizes the important role they play within the university," said Howard Pripas, UC director of labor relations. "We are especially pleased that we were able to reach an agreement so swiftly and peacefully, and we want to thank the union for its professionalism and partnership throughout the negotiations."
 
Highlights of the agreement include:
 
Wages: UC firefighters will receive a 3.5 percent across-the-board wage increase, effective Oct. 1, 2005, plus additional signing bonuses for the contract, payments for achieving specific certification(s), equity increases and an increase to the uniform allowance;
 
Health benefits: UC firefighters will continue to receive the same excellent health benefits that all UC employees receive;
 
Parking rates: UC firefighters will receive the same parking rates as other staff at the same location with the same parking access.
 
UC and the International Association of Fire Fighters began negotiations in December 2004. A tentative agreement was made between UC and the union July 20, 2005, and the union membership ratified the contract July 27.
 
This year UC has settled several multi-year contracts including police officers in January, a new contract for service workers in April, and one for lecturers in June.
 
UC takes pride in its ongoing commitment to working effectively with its labor unions and in its ability to continually provide quality employment conditions and opportunities for the more than 160,000 employees that make UC their employer of choice. UC negotiates with 15 unions representing approximately 60,000 UC employees throughout the state.