Syracuse University's unionized Department of Public Safety (DPS) employees approved a proposed three-year agreement by a 32-6 margin.
A total of 52 DPS staff members were eligible to vote. The contract is the first labor agreement negotiated between SU and the Security Police and Fire Professionals of America Union (SPFPA). DPS public safety officers, community service officers and communications specialists voted to recognize the union in a ratification vote conducted on June 15. DPS command and supervisory staff, 21 total, are not members of the bargaining unit and hence did not participate in the voting.
An earlier contract proposal was voted on and rejected Nov. 1.
"Both sides engaged in productive negotiations that produced a very fair outcome for the University and these valued employees," says SU Senior Vice President for Human Services and Government Relations Eleanor Ware, to whom DPS reports. Meetings between the parties began in September and continued through Nov. 30, totaling 10 sessions. SU's contract with SPFPA Local 532 goes into effect Dec. 9, 2006.
The new agreement provides full parity with University wage and benefit plans, and sets the terms and conditions of employment for these employees over the next three years.
More information on the negotiations is available at http://publicsafety.syr.edu/union/unionization.html.
