United Auto Workers Local 2300 and Cornell University today announced that the union, which represents more than 1,075 Cornell service and maintenance employees, has ratified a new, four-year agreement with the university, following several weeks of bargaining. The current agreement will expire June 30, 2001.

"We believe the agreement is fair and equitable for both parties and that it addresses several issues which will allow our relationship with the university to continue to move forward and be a model for other organizations," said Scott Montani, UAW International representative. Brian Goodell, newly elected president of UAW Local 2300, said: "I look forward to developing my local union leadership team and working with managers and supervisors in a spirit of joint problem-solving."

"We are delighted that we were able to resolve so many issues important to both parties in a renewed spirit of cooperation and respect," said E. Peter Tufford, Cornell director of labor relations. "I have been involved in negotiations and labor relations with the UAW since its arrival on campus in the early '80s, and I can say these were by far the most courteous and mutually respectful negotiations to date."

The new agreement contains a competitive pay program and several cooperative ventures, including assistance in finding temporary employment for dining employees during intercession shutdown and joint leadership training for union zone representatives and supervisors. Improvements in the areas of health and safety, the grievance procedure and career development also were included in the agreement.

In addition, a new position, funded by Cornell, of UAW peer counselor has been created to help the parties resolve employee-relations issues that arise within the bargaining unit. The peer counselor will be jointly selected by the union and the university in the near future.

"I want to thank both bargaining teams for their dedication and commitment to reaching this new agreement in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect," said Mary Opperman, Cornell vice president for human resources. "Both parties deserve congratulations for the professionalism with which they approached these discussions and for finding creative solutions that met the interests of everyone. I also look forward to continued growth in our relationship with Local 2300 and the UAW International."