essionals and other temporary staff at the University of Alberta have reached their first agreement with the university. After consulting with the academic staff association in the fall of 1997, the board of governors declared that those academics on temporary contracts were members of academic staff. The contract recognizes the differences between those in the group with primary responsibility for teaching and those with library, administrative or other professional duties. Almost half the group work full-time on a temporary basis, while the majority work part-time.

The agreement was intended to be consistent with agreements already in place for continuing staff. Many clauses are identical to those in the continuing staff agreement, other clauses run parallel, and some clauses are significantly different.

All full-time temporary staff are paid according to the same minimum salaries as continuing staff. Future increases in salary minima will move "in tandem," with an initial increase of 1 per cent, and further increases of 2.9 per cent for 1998-99 and 3.9 per cent in 1999-2000. Compensation for part-time staff will continue to vary depending on market demand. The minimum salaries for this group will be indexed to full-time scales. As a result, the minimum salary of those whose qualifications are equivalent to lecturers will receive an increase of 8.4 per cent, and the minimum for assistant professor equivalents will be increased by 14.7 per cent. Compensation for temporary librarians will also be indexed to minimum salaries for continuing librarians. A process for determining equity between other academic staff groups is provided.

Both full-time and part-time staffs who are reappointed will receive a salary increment.

The agreement establishes the principle that all staff should receive benefits. The status quo on benefits continues for full-time staff with one-year contracts (full benefits) or eight-month contracts (some benefits). The new contract sets up a joint committee to explore benefits for part-time staff and staff with four-month contracts. This group of staff will receive an additional 1 per cent in the interim, as a concrete indication of the university's commitment.

For further information contact AAS:UA at aasua@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca.