AFT Ratifies with Community College of Allegheny County

The Community College of Allegheny County yesterday ratified a new three-year labor contract with the union representing about 350 faculty, librarians, counselors and educational technicians.

The pact with the American Federation of Teachers Local 2067 runs from Aug. 24 through Aug. 23, 2011. It was approved unanimously by the college's board of trustees.

It provides for salary increases based on rank and tenure ranging from 3 to 4 percent the first year and 4 to 5 percent in years two and three of the agreement. The average yearly base salary across the bargaining unit will rise from $59,400 to $67,500 over the contract life, said AFT President John Dziak.

The pact also addressed a range of workplace issues from assessment of student learning and distance education standards to extra pay for faculty who take on additional teaching and other duties.

Both sides called the pact a significant step forward. "The negotiations were difficult, but they were amicable," CCAC President Alex Johnson said.

Seventy-eight percent of the union's membership voted for the agreement on July 18.