WSU-CASE has ratified its first union contract, which raises the minimum salary for a typical PhD candidate working in Pullman by 49% over the next two and a half years.

The tentative agreement reached also includes six weeks of paid paternal leave, paid vacation time off and protections against firing without just cause, according to the Stand.

This contract comes after WSU-CASE went on strike Jan 17, which resulted in a meeting with the administration to finalize their contract.

Academic student employees at WSU took a vote online from Jan. 19–25 on whether or not to ratify the contract. The final count showed that 1,169 ASEs voted for ratification, while 15 voted against.

“Graduate students play a critical role in teaching and research at any public research university, and WSU wants to be able to recruit the best and brightest graduate students to our institution,” Phil Weiler, vice president of marketing and communications, said in an email. “We are confident that this initial contract will help do that.”