UMass contracts funded

The University of Massachusetts contracts have finally been funded.

The contracts, which cover July 1, 2004, to June 30, 2007, were signed by Lt. Gov. Kerry M. Healey on April 14. The Legislature voted to fund them on April 13.

Raises will be paid in two stages, backdated to April 2005 and January 2006.

The contracts cover the following MTA-affiliated units: the Massachusetts Society of Professors, Amherst, and Faculty Staff Union, Boston; Massachusetts Society of Professors, Lowell; University Staff Association, Amherst; Classified Staff Union (two units) Boston; Classified/Technical Unit of Lowell; and Maintenance/Trades Unit of Lowell.

Retroactive raises for FY02 under the prior contract are still owed to 13,000 public higher education employees.