St. John’s Sues New York; Rutgers Union Suit Dismissed

St. John’s University filed a lawsuit against New York State in June 2026, challenging a state law that could impact its faculty union. The university argues that the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) overstepped its authority by certifying the faculty union, citing a lack of clarity in the law regarding the definition of "supervisory employees."

In a separate development, a lawsuit filed by Rutgers University against its faculty unions was dismissed in June 2026. The suit, which sought to invalidate the unions' right to bargain over certain issues, was thrown out by a judge. This dismissal represents a victory for the unions, allowing them to continue their collective bargaining efforts.

These legal actions occurred amidst broader labor activity in higher education. Faculty at Portland State University and The New School continued to advocate against layoffs during June 2026. Meanwhile, several other unions secured contract wins, indicating ongoing negotiations and labor disputes across various institutions.