University of Cincinnati officials are optimistic that a tentative contract with teachers will be ratified by Jan. 22 by faculty and approved by the board of trustees.

        “It was a cordial and cooperative process, and we appreciate everyone's efforts in reaching an agreement before classes resumed,” UC President Joseph Steger was quoted as saying according to a written statement released during a Saturday press conference.

        Faculty leaders averted a strike set to begin Thursday when they agreed at 5:30 p.m. Friday to a 10 percent pay increase over three years.

        Medical benefits remain unchanged for 2002, but talks will reopen on costs and coverage for the second and third years, said Joe Fisher, president of the American Association of University Professors.

        Once winter quarter begins, about 720 AAUP members will vote on the proposed contract, as will another 100 faculty who voluntarily paid the collective bargaining fee.

        AAUP represents 1,988 full-time faculty in 17 colleges on UC's five campuses. They have been working without a contract since Aug. 31.

        Mr. Steger has said that the average UC faculty member earns $65,600 for a nine-month appointment, and receives benefits that include tuition remission and almost cost-free health care.

        UC negotiator Mark Stepaniak said he expects the trustees to approve the contract at their Jan. 22 meeting.

        The union initially sought 25 percent across the board over three years to catch up with losses to inflation over the past decade.

        With the new contract, across-the-board increases will be 2 percent in the current school year and stepped increases every six months during the next two years.

        That means the largest salary increases will come in the second and third years of the contract, when UC hopes to be in a better fiscal position.

        UC also agreed to raise salary minimums 21.5 percent for assistant, associate and full professors, but Mr. Fisher said that would benefit only a few dozen faculty.

        Mr. Fisher said the proposed contract drops AAUP's request for full benefits for domestic partners, but UC agreed to a memorandum of understanding that will tighten rules on what can put in faculty personnel files.

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