The Announcement Shakes St. John's Campus

On February 19, 2026, St. John's University in Queens, New York—a private Catholic institution rooted in the Vincentian tradition since 1870—sent a pivotal email to its faculty. President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., and Provost Simon Møller declared that the university would no longer recognize the two unions representing its faculty: the St. John's University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (SJU-AAUP) and the Faculty Association. This move ended a collective bargaining relationship spanning 56 years, with no further negotiations planned.

The decision came amid stalled contract talks following the expiration of the previous agreement on June 30, 2025. Faculty had been working without a contract for 234 days, highlighting deepening tensions between administration and union leaders. University spokesperson Brian Browne emphasized that the step was 'necessary to advance our organizational mission,' framing it as essential for agility in a transforming higher education landscape.

St. John's, with approximately 15,000 undergraduates and graduates across its New York and Rome campuses, positions itself as a leader in Catholic higher education. Yet, this action has ignited debates on labor rights, religious identity, and institutional governance.

Historical Context: Pioneering Unions in Private Catholic Higher Ed

The SJU-AAUP traces its origins to 1961, making it the oldest faculty union on campus. Its efforts culminated in the 1970 collective bargaining agreement—the first at a private college in the U.S.—setting a precedent for faculty voice in employment conditions. Due to early political turmoil, the bargaining unit split evenly between SJU-AAUP and the Faculty Association, a structure upheld despite the 1980 NLRB Yeshiva decision classifying many faculty as managerial.

These unions cover all teaching faculty (full-time and adjuncts), excluding administrators and fellowship-based graduate students. Membership is voluntary, with suggested dues supporting contract enforcement and elections. Over decades, they've negotiated improvements in pay, health benefits, and academic freedom, aligning with broader trends where about 35% of U.S. public university faculty are unionized, though rates at private Catholic institutions vary widely.

• 1970: Landmark CBA established.
• 2017-2019 & 2022-2025: Recent agreements focused on recognition awards and standards.
• 2025: Current CBA expires, negotiations begin March 2025.

This history underscores why the withdrawal feels like a rupture to many.Aspiring academics can review career advice for navigating such environments.

Administration's Case: Flexibility for Mission and Innovation

Shanley and Møller stated the decision was not 'lightly or rashly' made, affirming belief in organization rights but prioritizing decisions advancing the 'common good.' They argued collective bargaining entangled core academic choices, hindering the 'flexibility required to fulfill its Catholic-centered mission.'

Browne elaborated: the 155-year-old Vincentian university needs to innovate amid enrollment pressures and financial shifts common in higher ed. St. John's strategic plan, 'Moving Forward Together Reimagined 2025-2028,' emphasizes financial health through revenue streams and investments. The university cites stalled talks and NLRB precedents exempting religious institutions from federal labor oversight since the 2020 Bethany College ruling.

Under this exemption, if a school holds itself religious, integrates faith into curriculum, and faculty perform religious functions, NLRB lacks jurisdiction. However, New York's Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) certification complicates matters for state-regulated units.

Union Response: Legal Fight and 'Union-Busting' Accusations

Christopher Denny (Faculty Association president, theology professor) called it unilateral dissolution of a 56-year NY-certified unit, vowing judicial battle: 'St. John's must honor that legal relationship.' Fred Cocozzelli (SJU-AAUP president, government professor) expressed disappointment, insisting parties were 'pretty close' and ready for a fair contract strengthening the university.

Key demands include:

• 3.85% annual raises for full-time faculty.
• Health premium reductions (SJU rates exceed NYC peers).
• 25-30% adjunct pay increase to CUNY parity.

AAUP national president Todd Wolfson decried it as 'shameful,' betraying Catholic values amid national higher ed assaults.

Photo by Emediong Umoh on Unsplash

Rallies and Petitions: Faculty, Students Unite

A Feb. 25 rally drew faculty, students, and allies protesting 'union-busting.' Petitions invoke Catholic social teaching from Rerum Novarum (1891), affirming unions for justice. Lara Vapnek (history professor): Unions are 'source of strength.' Sophie Bell: Move destabilizes education—'faculty conditions are students’ learning conditions.'

Students fear curriculum impacts, especially with reports of 20 programs under review.Rate your professors and share experiences.

A Growing Trend Among Catholic Institutions

St. John's joins others leveraging religious exemptions: Loyola Marymount (2025, non-tenure faculty), Boston College, Duquesne, St. Leo, Marquette. NLRB's Bethany decision emboldened derecognition, shifting from Catholic labor support (e.g., papal encyclicals).

While adjuncts comprise 70%+ faculty nationally, Catholic campuses vary—some embrace unions per social teaching, others prioritize mission control. Critics see 'union-busting' contradicting dignity tenets.

Potential Impacts: Faculty Morale, Programs, and Students

Without unions, unilateral changes loom: pay freezes, benefit cuts, adjunct reliance. AAUP analysis shows SJU faculty underpaid vs. peers, admin overpaid, instruction budget shrinking. Program terminations (20 considered) could reshape offerings amid enrollment stability efforts.Browse faculty jobs elsewhere if concerned.

Students risk quality dips; morale affects retention. Broader: Erodes bargaining precedents.

Catholic Social Teaching in the Spotlight

Denny challenges: Where does 'flexibility' rank vs. dignity, healthcare? Popes from Leo XIII affirm unions. Yet admin ties to Vincentian service, innovation for common good.NCR analysis.

Photo by Zoshua Colah on Unsplash

Legal Battle Ahead and Future Outlook

Unions eye NY PERB/NLRB clashes. Precedents favor religious exemptions federally, but state certification strong. Possible strikes, mediation. Resolution could take years, influencing Catholic HE labor.

For faculty, career advice key. Explore professor jobs.

Implications for U.S. Higher Education

Signals tensions: Declining enrollment (national 'cliff'), finances push flexibility vs. protections. Union rates ~25% private sector; religious exemptions test NLRA limits. Balanced governance vital.University jobs abound.

In conclusion, St. John's decertification tests Catholic identity-labor nexus. Monitor developments; rate-my-professor, higher-ed-jobs, career-advice empower navigation.