By Denise Smith Amos
Enquirer staff writer

The union representing professors at the University of Cincinnati agreed Tuesday on a tentative contract that would give faculty pay increases averaging 3 percent a year over the next three years.

The deal also would raise the amount of premiums and co-payments faculty pay for health insurance, and it would open up for discussion the possibility that the university may extend benefits to the domestic partners of faculty members.

This is the first time since 1974 that the American Association of University Professors and university administrators reached a tentative agreement before the existing contract's expiration, which is next Tuesday night.

"Our negotiating team and board of directors are extremely pleased with the outcome, but we're mostly pleased with the process," said Sally Dunn, president of the Cincinnati chapter of the AAUP, which represents 2,080 professors, assistant professors and associate professors.

She credited UC President Nancy Zimpher and university leaders who, she said, trusted their labor relations director and representatives to negotiate with the union, instead of hiring an outside firm.

Most of the professors covered under the contract are full time, although 65 carry at least 65 percent of a "full load" in courses, research and service.

If the union and the university's board of trustees approve the deal, faculty can expect at least a 2.5 percent raise in salary the first year, a 3 percent raise the next year and a 3.5 percent raise the last year of the contract.

In the third year, faculty also may earn salary incentive increases of 0.5 percent to 2 percent based on increases in fall enrollment in 2006.

The median salary of a full professor at UC last year was $87,400. The associate professors' median was $64,400, and assistant professors earned a $51,300 median salary.

Not included in the negotiations are about 1,000 adjunct professors, who are paid a fraction of what full-time professors make because they're paid per course taught.

They have a vote pending on whether to allow the American Federation of Teachers to represent them in potential negotiations with the university.