Arbitrator Rules Against UNI In Faculty Merit Pay Case

The faculty union of the has won a grievance against the university.

An independent arbitrator ruled against UNI in the case, which dealt with whether student assessments should determine faculty merit pay. The hearing was held February 13 on the UNI campus.

The faculty union, United Faculty, said in a press release this was the third such ruling in a row in United Faculty's favor.

On April 6, United Faculty won an arbitration case on behalf of former faculty member Gordon E. Klein, whom United Faculty argued was unfairly terminated from UNI.

After that ruling, United Faculty President Cathy DeSoto told Patch the case illustrates that by the American Association of University Professors is not solely related to between faculty and administrators related to budget cuts.

"The current crisis is not the only thing the AAUP is worried about," DeSoto said.

UNI spokesman Jim O'Connor said the university remains committed to complying with contractual obligations and to the principals of faculty governance.

“We’re still reviewing the impact of the arbitrator's decision," he said. "Policies and procedure will be adjusted in response and communication with deans and department heads is underway."