U of M workers who walked off job approve contract offer

(AP) - Clerical and health workers who went on strike at the University of Minnesota for 13 days last month have approved a contract offer.

Eighty percent of the workers who voted on the proposal approved it, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees said Monday night.

The two-year contract includes a 2.25 percent annual raise for clerical and technical workers and a 2.5 percent raise for health care workers, plus steps toward longevity and a $300 lump sum in each year of the contract, the union said.

Nearly 1,000 workers went on strike Sept. 5.

Carol Carrier, vice president for human resources at the university, said in a prepared statement the Board of Regents will now review and ratify the agreement, which will then be signed by a university representative and the union.

"We are pleased with this outcome and grateful for the numerous contributions that AFSCME workers make to the success of the university," Carrier said.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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