ARTICLE 27

DURATION

A. The provisions of this Agreement shall be effective as of July 1, 2002, remain in full force and effect up to and including June 30, 2006, and shall be renewed automatically from year to year thereafter unless written notice of desire to terminate or modify is given by either party to the other on or before the expiration date. This Agreement shall not be reopened unless there is mutual agreement by the parties, as expressed in writing, to do so.

B. Should the parties be unable to agree upon the terms and conditions of a new Agreement on or before the expiration date of this Agreement as set forth in section A above, the non-economic provisions of this Agreement shall continue in effect until a new Agreement is negotiated. Status quo shall be maintained with regard to all economic provisions of this Agreement and no employee shall suffer a reduction in salary and/or fringe benefits until a new Agreement has been negotiated, or unless otherwise mutually agreed by the parties.