Untenured faculty at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) have initiated an unfair labor practice strike authorization vote. This action follows the university's decision to cease recognizing and bargaining with the faculty union. LMU cited a religious exemption from the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) jurisdiction as the reason for its decision, impacting negotiations that had been ongoing for approximately 10 months.
The faculty union, representing non-tenure track educators, announced the strike vote on September 26, 2025. This move comes after LMU leaders informed the union in mid-September that the university would invoke a religious exemption. The NLRB typically oversees unionization efforts and safeguards the rights of private sector employees.
Key Takeaways
- LMU faculty union begins strike authorization vote after university halts negotiations.
- Loyola Marymount University claims a religious exemption from NLRB jurisdiction.
- Union members express concerns over low wages and lack of job security.
- The university states the union lacks "standing" and expresses disappointment over potential disruptions.
University Cites Religious Exemption
LMU's administration announced its decision to stop bargaining with the faculty union, citing a religious exemption from the National Labor Relations Board. This exemption, according to the university, allows it to avoid the NLRB's oversight of unionization efforts. The NLRB is the federal agency responsible for enforcing U.S. labor law in relation to collective bargaining and unfair labor practices.
Campus spokesperson Griff McNerney stated that the union "has no standing" in an email. He also expressed the university's disappointment over the strike vote, noting it "risks disrupting the continuity of instruction and the student experience." This position contrasts sharply with the faculty's view of their rights to organize and negotiate.
Important Fact
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is an independent federal agency that protects the rights of most private sector employees to join together, with or without a union, to improve their wages, hours, and working conditions.
Faculty Concerns Over Wages and Job Security
Untenured faculty members report facing significant challenges, including low wages and a lack of job security. These issues are often linked to their reliance on short-term contracts, which do not offer the stability associated with tenure-track positions. Many non-tenure track faculty members play a crucial role in delivering instruction, yet they often experience less institutional support.
Bryan Wisch, an instructor of rhetorical arts and an LMU alumnus, described the university's decision as a "betrayal of the faculty." He also called it "a betrayal of the mission and values of this university, which purports to follow Jesuit values and Catholic social teaching." This highlights a perceived conflict between LMU's stated values and its actions regarding labor relations.
"They have just refused to bargain in good faith," Wisch stated, reflecting the union's perspective on the negotiation process.
Rise of Unionization in Higher Education
The organizing efforts at LMU are part of a broader trend across Southern California and the nation. Over the past few years, many non-tenured faculty unions and graduate student unions have formed. These groups often seek better compensation, improved working conditions, and greater job security, similar to the concerns raised by LMU faculty.
Recent Unionization Timeline in Higher Education
- December 2021: University of California recognizes graduate student researchers unionized by UAW.
- June 2022: ArtCenter College of Design faculty vote to unionize with American Federation of Teachers.
- February 2023: University of Southern California (USC) graduate students vote to unionize with UAW.
- February 2024: USC Cinematic Arts adjunct faculty vote to unionize with UAW.
- February 2024: Caltech graduate and postdoctoral researchers vote to unionize with UAW.
- July 2024: USC postdoctoral employees vote to unionize with UAW.
- November 2024: University of California counselors and advisors petition UC to unionize with UAW.
- November 2024: CalArts faculty and staff announce union drive with UAW.
- December 2024: New York Film Academy Los Angeles votes to unionize with UAW.
- December 2024: USC non-tenured faculty (excluding Keck School of Medicine) submit a petition to unionize with UAW.
- January 2025: Caltech graduate students ratify their first contract.
University President Addresses Decision
LMU President Thomas Poon released a video explaining the university's stance. According to President Poon, invoking the religious exemption "safeguards [the school's] autonomy to carry out [its] mission, without a third party that may not share our values." This statement suggests the university views union involvement as a potential threat to its institutional identity and goals.
President Poon also mentioned that the union's proposals were "financially unsustainable." He indicated that these proposals could have led to a reduction in services for students. This financial argument provides another layer to the university's justification for halting negotiations.
The strike authorization vote is set to conclude at noon on Tuesday, September 30. The outcome will determine the next steps for the untenured faculty in their pursuit of a contract with LMU.
Impact on Students and Instruction
The potential strike raises concerns about its impact on students and the continuity of instruction. A disruption in teaching could affect academic progress and the overall student experience. The university has highlighted this risk, while the faculty argue that their working conditions directly influence their ability to provide quality education.
The ongoing dispute underscores the tension between university administration goals and faculty demands for fair labor practices. As the strike vote concludes, all parties will need to consider the broader implications for LMU's academic environment.
