Members of Laurentian University Faculty Association last month voted in favour of a new collective agreement with reduced teaching loads and “catch-up” salary provisions.

Total increase in base salary over the life of the agreement ranges from 20 per cent to a high of 37 per cent, including salary increments.

“It’s taken several months of intense negotiations, a 97 per cent strike vote and the assistance of two mediators to get to this point,” said LUFA president Jim Ketchen, noting the strength and skill of the association bargaining team under chief negotiator Anis Farah, and the tremendous support shown the team by the general membership.

Ketchen said the union has a “landmark agreement” as a result of new language designed to make Laurentian a more faculty-friendly university.

The three-year deal provides improved pregnancy and parental leave, increases to professional development allowances, employer-paid dental and paramedical practitioner coverage and greater transparency in the appointment process.

Faculty association negotiators also broke new ground for contract academic staff, bargaining significant increases in per course stipends and a limited number of permanent sessional appointments.

LUFA represents more than 400 faculty and librarians at Laurentian University, the University of Sudbury, Huntington University and the University College of Thornloe.