Faculty and librarians who work at Mount Allison University have ratified a new collective agreement reached in mid-December with the help of a provincially-appointed mediator. The four-year agreement calls for a 3 per cent salary increase in each year of the contract, an increase in step increment size, improved parental leave, an additional two days vacation, a 10 per cent increase in the tuition fee discount, and expansion of the sabbatical leave provision to include probationary employees. In November members of the Mount Allison Faculty Association voted in favour of strike action. MAFA chief negotiator Brian Campbell said the 85 per cent strike mandate was a significant factor in reaching the settlement. “We are happy to arrive at an agreement without a strike,” Campbell said. “This was a team effort that was made possible because of the strong support from the membership at every stage in the process.” On Jan. 16, the board of regents voted unanimously to ratify the collective agreement.