PITTSBURGH, March 1, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled Wednesday, Feb. 28, affirming the right of part-time faculty at Duquesne University to organize a union under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
The board asserted that Duquesne University violated the law by refusing to recognize the union. Part-time faculty in Duquesne's McAnulty College overwhelmingly voted in support of unionizing with the USW in 2012.
After initially acknowledging the right of the part-time faculty to unionize, the university administration has since contended that it is entitled to a religious exemption.
"We have fought for our rights and beat the administration's union-busting activity every step of the way," said Adam Davis, a part time faculty member at Duquesne who was among original organizers and is still teaching in the history department. "We won our election, a hearing at the regional board, and now an appeal of that decision. When are they going to stop wasting an enormous sum of tuition dollars on this fruitless effort to strip teachers of their rights?"
"Duquesne's part-time faculty are ready to open a bargaining dialogue with the administration and even have a conversation about their objections," Davis added. "We believe that through a mutually respectful process we can work together, but we won't stop fighting until we get a seat at the table."
As a part of the decision, within the next two weeks Duquesne must post, for 60 consecutive days, signs that inform part-time faculty of their rights, including the right to bargain collectively.
"It's simply shameful to see a university administration which carries the banner of the Catholic Church violate the teaching of the very faith they so loudly profess," said USW International President Leo W. Gerard. "Hopefully the current leadership will see the error of their ways and recognize the rights of the part-time faculty members."
Following the successful union election, wages of part time faculty at Duquesne increased by 60 percent.
The Academic Workers Association is part of the USW, which represents 850,000 workers in North America employed in many industries that include metals, rubber, chemicals, paper, oil refining, the service and public sectors and higher education.
CONTACT:
Jess Kamm Broomell (412) 562-2446
jkamm@usw.org
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SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)
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