In a new three-year contract ratified last month, members of the Dalhousie Faculty Association have agreed to two years of cost-of-living increases of 1.25 per cent, follow­ed by a 1.75 per cent increase in the third year. Increases also apply to base salary scales and current step structure in an attempt to bring the university’s compensation in line with other comparable universities.

Beginning this year, DFA members will also increase their contributions to the pension plan by two per cent, while receiving a two per cent pension contribution offset to ease the transition.

Other changes to the contract include agreement to establish a joint committee to study the current structure of the pension plan, and harmonize parental, pregnancy and adoption leaves.

The new contract is retroactive to July 1, 2011, and will run until June 30, 2014.