News Release: February 3, 1998

Court Holds that University of the District of Columbia Breached Collective Bargaining Agreement with Faculty Association in Laying Off Faculty

The United States District Court for the District of Columbia (Judge Henry H. Kennedy, Jr.) ruled today in favor of the University of the District of Columbia Faculty Association/NEA in its lawsuit against the University of the District of Columbia Control Board. The lawsuit was filed after the University -- under the authority of the Control Board -- laid off 125 members of the faculty and reduced its contributions to the pension plan on behalf of those faculty members who were still employed. In the lawsuit, the Faculty Association contends that the actions in question violate various provisions of its collective bargaining agreement with the University, and that the Control Board exceeded the powers given to it by Congress in authorizing the University to take these actions.

Judge Kennedy agreed with the Faculty Association. In a decision that recognizes the importance of the collective bargaining process and the integrity of collective bargaining agreements, he finds the University to be in breach of its contractual obligations, and orders it "to effect full compliance . . . with the terms of the collective bargaining agreement."

Defendants have the right to appeal the District Court's decision to the Court of Appeals, and to seek a stay of Judge Kennedy's Order. Should it choose to do so, the Faculty Association -- with the continued support of NEA -- is prepared to defend the District Court's decision.