University of California officials on Thursday announced tentative contract agreements with two employee unions.

An agreement with the American Federation of Teachers would create a new contract for university lecturers, ending negotiations that began in spring 2000.

The plan includes increased salary minimums, enhanced job security for long-term lecturers and improved benefits eligibility for part-time lecturers.

The university also announced that it had reached a tentative agreement with University Professional and Technical Employees on two labor contracts for support professionals and technical employees.

The agreement includes salary increases and offers a compromise on laid-off employees' options for severance pay and preferential rehire status.

The offer allows employees to choose either a full severance package in lieu of preferential status or a combination package containing less-than-full severance pay and limited preferential rehire rights.

The agreements must be ratified by the unions and the university before they take effect.