PSU profs approve new contract

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - After 16 months of negotiations, faculty at Portland State University have voted in favor of a two-year contract agreement.

About 96 percent of the 400 or so members of the Portland State chapter of the American Association of University Professors cast ballots, said Michele Gamburd, an anthropology professor and the union's vice president for collective bargaining.

Under the contract, about 1,100 professors and academic professionals, will receive an across-the-board salary increase of at least 8.75 percent over two years.

The new contract also gives faculty full health insurance and nearly doubles the money for faculty professional development and for professional travel.