Urge Christian University to Let Professors Unionize!
Adjunct professors at Pittsburgh's Duquesne University would like to unionize, but the Catholic school wants to block unions based on their religious affiliation. They also want to fire two professors who have actively fought to form a union.
Adjunct professors typically receive low pay and have low job security, yet the University is trying to convince the National Labor Relations board that they should be able to fire professors who teach un-Catholic science. In a footnote to their argument, Duquesne says, "[T]oday Duquesne reserves the right not to rehire both professors and replace them with professors willing and/or better able to incorporate Duquesne’s Catholic, Spiritan mission into their courses.”
According to Inside Higher Ed, the footnote goes on to reference two particular professors, including history of science professor Adam Davis: "[If Davis] improperly denigrated the sacrament of the Eucharist” because his textbook mentions transubstantiation (which it does), “Duquesne would have the right to take adverse action.”
Duquesne is creating a culture of fear in their professors, who are worried about arbitrarily getting fired. Please sign the petition to urge Duquesne's president to reconsider his position and allow professors to form unions.
Adjunct professors at Pittsburgh's Duquesne University would like to unionize, but the Catholic school wants to block unions based on their religious affiliation. They also want to fire two professors who have actively fought to form a union.
Adjunct professors typically receive low pay and have low job security. We are concerned that your university is trying to convince the National Labor Relations board that they should be able to fire professors who teach un-Catholic science. We understand that in a footnote to your argument, Duquesne says, "[T]oday Duquesne reserves the right not to rehire both professors and replace them with professors willing and/or better able to incorporate Duquesne’s Catholic, Spiritan mission into their courses.”
According to Inside Higher Ed, the footnote goes on to reference two particular professors, including history of science professor Adam Davis: "[If Davis] improperly denigrated the sacrament of the Eucharist” because his textbook mentions transubstantiation (which it does), “Duquesne would have the right to take adverse action.”
We are concerned that your university is creating a culture of fear in their professors, who are worried about arbitrarily getting fired. We respectfully urge you to reconsider your position and allow professors to form unions. Thank you for taking the time to read and consider our petition.
