University Park, Pa. — Members of Teamsters Local Union No. 8 employed by Penn State have ratified a one-year extension of the current agreement, which was scheduled to expire on June 30, 2010. The extension continues the agreement through June 30, 2011.
Teamsters Local Union No. 8 represents the bargaining unit consisting of approximately 2,600 technical-service employees at University locations throughout the Commonwealth.
Jon Light, president of Teamsters Local Union No. 8, announced the decision Friday afternoon after a count of mail ballots by Union members.
In addition to the one-year extension to June 30, 2011, the agreement includes a deferral of the scheduled July 1, 2009, wage increase of 3 percent to Feb. 15, 2010. There will be no wage increase on July 1, 2009. Also included are wage increases of 1 percent on July 1, 2010, and 1.25 percent on Feb. 15, 2011. No other changes were made to the terms and conditions of the current agreement.
Last month, representatives from the union met with University representatives at Penn State's request to discuss matters of mutual interest regarding the University's ongoing budget challenges. When a tentative agreement was reached, the union subsequently conducted informational meetings with its membership.
Penn State President Graham Spanier said that he was very pleased that discussions with the union had been concluded successfully with ratification of the agreement by the union membership.
“Members of the Teamsters bargaining unit are an integral part of the University family, and we deeply appreciate their many contributions to our success,” Spanier said.