In an era of wage restraint, aca­demic staff at St. Jerome’s University in Waterloo, Ontario have ratified a first collective agreement that locks in salary increases for 30 fac­ulty members and the university librarian.

SJU-ASA members voted 96% in favour of the new agreement, which has also since been ratified by the board of governors.

The four-year agreement takes effect immediately and covers the period May 1, 2009 to April 30, 2013.

Cyntha Struthers, acting president of the academic staff association, said it was a long process, but the strong support of the membership for the bargaining team helped secure the new agreement.

“We’re pleased to have reached a fair agreement that serves the good of the whole university community,” Struthers said.