September 10, 1999» NR 15-1999

The University of Alaska announced today that it has reached a tentative collective bargaining agreement with one of its faculty unions, the Alaska Community Colleges' Federation of Teachers. The tentative agreement is subject to ratification by union members, approval by the Board of Regents, as well as approval by the legislature.

The agreement was reached well in advance of the expiration of the current agreement. If approved, the agreement will go into effect on July 1, 2000, and expire June 30, 2003.

"The agreement is in the interest of both the university and its faculty," said Michael Hostina, the university's director of labor relations. "The process was amicable and the terms are reasonable. We believe the approach taken to negotiations offers both parties an opportunity to focus our efforts on our most important job: providing higher education to Alaskans."

The new agreement focused on a limited number of issues, leaving the balance of the current agreement in place. Details of the tentative agreement will be available after formal approval by the union's members and the Board of Regents of the university.

For More Information: Bob Miller, 907-474-7272