As we notified all faculty last summer, the IFO is actively defending our union in a lawsuit brought by a self-proclaimed anti-union professor. At each stage of the case, we have proven to the courts that the IFO strengthens the faculty’s democratic rights to associate together freely and to speak collectively on terms and conditions of employment and other issues of mutual concern. In the last month of 2019, we achieved two more victories in the case.

On December 5th, the District Court Judge issued a decision granting the IFO’s motion for summary judgment and dismissing all of the Plaintiff’s claims. The Plaintiff then filed a motion asking the judge to vacate his decision. On December 17th, the District Court Judge issued a second decision denying Plaintiff’s motion to vacate and reaffirming that his granting of the IFO’s motion for summary judgment stands.

Within a day of her latest loss, the Plaintiff filed a notice of appeal of the summary judgment decision, moving the case to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. We are confident that our arguments will prevail in a decision that likely won’t be rendered until this summer at the earliest. After the 8th Circuit rules, we expect that the Plaintiff will file a petition for certiorari to the United States Supreme Court, which then will decide whether to hear the case.

This lawsuit is part of a nationally coordinated strategy by powerful forces aiming to destroy collective bargaining. It is a direct attack on our shared values and collective voice. United, we are powerful advocates – and our nation-wide union solidarity threatens the national anti-labor organizations behind these attacks. Our members know that a strong faculty union is vital to the success of our universities, our students and communities. In the face of these attacks, we stand united and will continue our mission of providing an extraordinary education that is accessible, equitable and affordable for all.

We will continue to notify our members of any updates. Please contact us if you have any questions.