Part-timers at Wilfrid Laurier University ratified their first contract in December.

Among the gains won by the part-time academic staff members of the Wilfrid Laurier University Faculty Association is the creation of continuing appointments for part-time librarians and seniority status for contract academic staff who have taught a course several times. Contract academic staff now have library privileges, computer, email and Internet services and teaching and marking assistance on the same terms as full-time faculty members.

The agreement also replaces the often arbitrary hiring process with new part-time appointment committees and clear language on posting and applications.

The salary for a one-term course is now $4,922 with increases of two per cent in the second and third years of the agreement. Salaries for librarian members are prorated to salaries of full-time librarians at the equivalent rank and experience.

According to chief negotiator Doug Lorimer, the three-year agreement "provides a greater recognition for the academic and professional contributions of part-time academics and librarians, which is crucial at a time when the university is rapidly expanding its student enrollment."

Lorimer said one of WLUFA's major priorities was the recognition of the importance of research and professional development to the careers of contract academic staff. The new agreement creates two new funds for research and professional development and provides assistance from the university's research office for external grant applications.

Adds Lorimer, "one of the members of the part-time unit remarked that she had previously felt marginalized as an academic staff member. Now she says she really looks forward to teaching at Laurier."