After two years of negotiation, faculty at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) are set to have a new contract with the Rhode Island Council on Postsecondary Education, which manages public higher education in Rhode Island.

The Council OK’d the latest collective bargaining agreement without opposition or discussion at a special meeting on Wednesday, May 15. It had been approved by 93% of voting faculty at the community college, Stephanie DeSilva Mandeville, spokesperson for National Education Association Rhode Island (NEARI) announced last Thursday.

The newly inked contract spans three years but does not have a long shelf-life.

“It took two years to negotiate/mediate, it’s up next year,” Mandeville said via email. “Contract years are 2022-2025.”

The contract grants 2.5% annual raises for unionized full-time faculty, also known as the CCRI Faculty Association (CCRIFA). Minimum salaries are also set to go up: Associate professors will see annual salaries of $70,000, up from $65,331, and full professors will earn $87,000 a year, compared to $81,430 in the old contract. The new salaries will take effect July 1, 2024.  

A copy of the contract was not immediately available for public review.

“Our lawyers have informed me that the new contract has not been signed,” said Beth Bailey, spokesperson for the council as well as its administrative arm, the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner (OPC).

“The draft will go to the college and the union now for their review,” Bailey said.

Mandeville said this brings CCRI salaries “more in line with regional colleges.” She added that the contract was updated with more gender-neutral language as well. 

“Ratification follows two years of difficult negotiations and mediation, and we are thankful for our faculty’s perseverance,” said Mazin Adam, president of CCRIFA, in a statement. “I’m proud to always say CCRI faculty are the biggest advocates for our students and champion their success. Throughout this process we stood together while maintaining our commitment to our students.”

Editor’s Note: Alexander Castro covers education and health for Rhode Island Current. He has worked extensively in the visual arts as a critic, curator and adjunct professor. Rhode Island Current is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.