Article 21

AMENDMENT AND DURATION

21.1 Duration. The agreement shall become effective on the date it is ratified by both parties and remain in effect through June 30, 2008, with the following exceptions:

(a) Re-opener negotiations shall begin upon the request by either party no later than April 1st of each contract year. Subjects for such renegotiations shall be Stipends (Article 23) and, in addition, each party may choose up to two additional articles.
(b) Negotiations for a successor agreement shall begin upon request by either party but no later than March 1, 2008.

21.2 Amendments. In the event the UBOT and UFF-GAU negotiate a mutually acceptable amendment, it shall be put in writing and become part of this Agreement upon ratification by both parties.