Service workers in two bargaining units at the University of Rochester have voted to approve new, two-year contracts covering around 1700 employees. The contracts, one for Strong Hospital, and the other for non-medical staff on U of R campuses, are retroactive to September 23rd.

The contracts continue the union's health benefits plan, which is 100-percent paid for by the employer. The union did agree to pay higher co-pays for specialists and X-rays.

 The contract also calls for a one and a half percent wage hike, which is lower than the wage hikes provided to the university's non-union employees.

Union and management will reopen negotiations next year to determine the amount of wage increase for the contract's second year.

The university also agreed to boost contribution's to the union's childcare and training funds.

Health benefits were a major sticking point in the negotiations which began in August and also involved a federal mediator.

The workers are represented by the SEIU locals 1199 and 200.