Arbitration Over Layoffs at WCC
The arbitrator’s ruling came today.
Unfortunately, he sided with the administration’s argument that the loss of Rider employment created by a sale of Westminster were not technically layoffs and were therefore not arbitrable under our contract. We are disappointed with this outcome, but remain adamantly opposed to the administration’s plan to sell Westminster Choir College.
It is important to realize that the matter is far from being resolved. It is clear that Westminster will be part of Rider University through at least the next academic year. The two lawsuits (McMorris et al and Princeton Theological Seminary) remain active and have a timeline that stretches some two years into the future. Moreover, the Attorney General’s March 27 letter was decisive in its recommendation regarding two significant matters: (1) Any proceeds from a sale of Westminster must be used for the sole benefit of current Westminster stakeholders (faculty and staff, students, and alums) and (2) A separate hearing regarding the disposition of Westminster’s endowments overseen by the chancery court would be required. If these opinions as well as others forthcoming from the AG later this summer move Judge Innes, it would remove the administration’s primary motivation for selling Westminster—obtaining a cash windfall.
We continue to call on the administration to change its direction, not just for the well being of Westminster, but for all of Rider University.
Sincerely,
Jeff Halpern, Chief Grievance Officer
Joel Phillips, Associate Grievance Officer
Unfortunately, he sided with the administration’s argument that the loss of Rider employment created by a sale of Westminster were not technically layoffs and were therefore not arbitrable under our contract. We are disappointed with this outcome, but remain adamantly opposed to the administration’s plan to sell Westminster Choir College.
It is important to realize that the matter is far from being resolved. It is clear that Westminster will be part of Rider University through at least the next academic year. The two lawsuits (McMorris et al and Princeton Theological Seminary) remain active and have a timeline that stretches some two years into the future. Moreover, the Attorney General’s March 27 letter was decisive in its recommendation regarding two significant matters: (1) Any proceeds from a sale of Westminster must be used for the sole benefit of current Westminster stakeholders (faculty and staff, students, and alums) and (2) A separate hearing regarding the disposition of Westminster’s endowments overseen by the chancery court would be required. If these opinions as well as others forthcoming from the AG later this summer move Judge Innes, it would remove the administration’s primary motivation for selling Westminster—obtaining a cash windfall.
We continue to call on the administration to change its direction, not just for the well being of Westminster, but for all of Rider University.
Sincerely,
Jeff Halpern, Chief Grievance Officer
Joel Phillips, Associate Grievance Officer
June 20, 2019