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APA signs contract

Members of the Association of Professional Administrators signed a new contract on July 1 that runs for two years, through Dec. 31, 2006, and offers 2 percent salary increases, plus .5 percent merit raises each year.

"We had a 49 percent turnout for the ratification vote in the middle of a nor'easter," said APA President David Morwick. "And the votes were more than 97 percent favorable.

"Clearly," he added, "our members were pleased and determined to get this contract done."

Contract highlights include:

• Professional development money from the Council of Presidents from a 1 percent salary pool.
• Changes in bereavement leave language to include more relationships.
• Changes in maternity leave language to include males.
• Additional money for Health and Welfare Trust, meal and travel allowances, and for stipends for administrators working in an acting capacity.
• Change in beginning of evaluation period from spring to winter -- "a time more suitable for both colleges and members," according to Morwick.

The APA Bargaining Team included Morwick, from Bridgewater State College; Joseph Domingos, APA vice president, Massachusetts Maritime Academy; Helen Watson-Felt, APA secretary, Salem State; and Andrew Melio, APA treasurer, Mass. Maritime. They were assisted by MTA Higher Education Consultant Arthur Pippo.