CLN deplores LMU Administration’s Union-Busting, Supports Workers’ Strike
The Catholic Labor Network was deeply disappointed to learn that the Loyola Marymount University announced it was ending bargaining with the union chosen by its non-tenure track faculty. Catholic Social Teaching is clear: all workers, including and especially those employed by Catholic institutions, have the right to organize unions for
collective bargaining. The University should immediately reverse its decision and resume bargaining with the union.
The board of the Catholic Labor Network has dispatched a letter to Chairman Paul Viviano of the LMU Board of Trustees explaining why the university’s decision is irreconcilable with Catholic Social Doctrine. We have also addressed a letter to Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, asking him to intervene on behalf of the workers.
We understand that the nontenured faculty are making preparations to strike LMU to secure their rights. We hope that this does not prove to be necessary, that the university will choose to return to modeling Catholic teaching in its relations with its employees. If the workers must strike in order to obtain their rights, we will feel obligated to support their just demands.