Members of the United University Professions, which represents the State University of New York's 37,000 faculty members and staff, recently approved a four-year labor agreement that includes annual raises and bonuses, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday.

In addition to the yearly pay hikes, the agreement, which runs until July 1, 2026, includes a lump sum bonus, up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave and unspecified changes in a health insurance program designed to encourage in-network employee utilization and control costs, Hochul said. It also includes funding of labor-management initiatives.

More than 96% of the UUP – the nation's largest higher education union – voted to approve the terms, Hochul said in a statement.

United University Professions President Frederick Kowal said the union membership couldn’t be happier with the outcome.

"This is a contract rich with gains for all members, including our lowest-paid members, working parents and faculty and staff at our public teaching hospitals who risked their lives during the pandemic," Kowal said.