Members of the St. John’s and national chapters of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), the University’s Faculty Association (FA) and supporters gathered in front of Gate 1 on International Workers Day, May Day, to protest St. John’s Administration’s decision to not recognize their organizations during collective bargaining negotiations.

This is the 56-year-old union’s third rally since Feb. 19, when University President Rev. Brian Shanley sent an email explaining his decision to faculty and staff. This was the group’s first picket line, coming just after they filed an unfair label practice complaint against the St. John’s Board of Trustees with New York State’s Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). 

“We have been bargaining contracts for 56 years; it’s who we are, we are St. John’s,” AAUP President Sophie Bell said. “Father Shanley sent a literal email to all faculty saying he won’t recognize our unions or our contract. Shame! We won’t stand for it, we won’t allow it, we will rally, we will picket, we will stand up,” she continued

Rally attendees marched back and forth in front of Gate 1, chanting some of their now common sayings: “What’s disgusting? Union busting!”, “Father Shanley, you can’t hide: We can see your greedy side!” and “Get up! Get down! New York is a union town!” 

They were also seen with signs that promoted the protection of higher education and worker rights.

Public Safety and NYPD were present at the demonstration to ensure the flow of traffic was not interrupted. The unions kept driving paths open, and passersby showed their support by honking their horns. 

The unions have consistently called into question the decisions of the current University administration’s allocations of funds, feeling as though they are prioritizing athletics over academics and that they fail to adhere to the St. John’s mission. This sentiment was present at the Utopia Parkway entrance.

“I want you to take a look at the motto that stands above the main gate. ‘Christian education is the perfection of the soul. And another way to say that is Christian education is to perfect what it means to be a human being and to stand up for the dignity of other human beings who work. It is not about constructing expensive buildings,” FA President Christopher Denny said. 

“No matter what we hear about Father Shanley and his high-powered union-busting team of lawyers, claiming religious liberty, make one thing clear. The Catholic Church supports the dignity of workers,” he exclaimed.

Members of the unions have confidence that this will end in their favor and understand that it will be a long battle to ensure that, after an extended period without a contract, they will secure one that is beneficial for all parties. 

“I really want the administration, Father Shanley and Provost to come back to the bargaining table to understand the actions they have taken in derecognizing the unions are unlawful, dangerous and unhelpful to the University community as a whole,” Liz Chase, associate professor in the School of Education, said. “I really hope that our collective actions can get all of us back to the bargaining table,” she concluded

May 1 is International Workers’ Day and is largely celebrated by multiple organizations in New York City. After the initial rally on campus, members of the union headed to Manhattan to join others to commemorate the holiday. 

“This holiday came out of the fight for the 8-hour workday, which was a brutal fight. 
And we know how hard workers have fought for their recognition in this country. And to join in that, and to see how many faculty want to come out and be heard, and then to know that we’re getting on that bus, we’re gonna go join hundreds more faculty, and then thousands more workers today, the energy is honestly electric.” Bell said in an interview with the Torch. 

“Our administration is showing us what they think of teachers; they think that we should be quiet and we should be sidelined, and that our working conditions and our ideas about education don’t matter. 
And frankly, we disagree. And to show that at the gate, to our university, in such strength and such joy, honestly is a good feeling,” Bell concluded

The unions have three main requests of President Rev. Shanley. 

“So we have three demands: Number one, Father Shanley, reverse your catastrophic February 19th decision and realize that withdrawing union recognition after 56 years was a mistake. Number two, come back to the bargaining table. Because we’re patient, and we can do this for a long time, sir. 
And number three. We want a direct line of communication between the faculty and the board of trustees at this university,” Denny proclaimed.

Due to the recent lawsuit filed by the faculty unions, the St. John’s administration was unable to comment on the rally due to the ongoing litigation.

This third rally highlights how tense the situation between the administration and the faculty has become after over 300 days without a contract.