St. John's University in Queens, New York, notified employees on Feb. 19 that it will no longer recognize the two unions that have represented faculty members at the Catholic university since 1970.,St. John's University in Queens, New York, notified employees on Feb. 19 that it will no longer recognize the two unions that have represented faculty members at the Catholic university since 1970.
12 days ago
St. John's University has declared it no longer recognizes faculty unions.1
This decision ends a 56-year period of union recognition at the institution.1
The announcement was published on February 23, 2026.1
It reflects a significant shift in labor relations at the private Catholic university in New York.1
Investigate Catholic universities’ stance on faculty union recognition
Catholic social teaching strongly affirms workers' rights, including the freedom to form unions and engage in collective bargaining, as essential for justice and the common good. However, for Catholic universities, this right must be exercised in harmony with the institution's sacred duty to preserve its Catholic identity, ensuring that faculty, administrators, and unions respect Church doctrine in teaching, research, and community life. While no provided sources directly address faculty union recognition at Catholic universities, general principles from papal encyclicals, apostolic constitutions, and bishops' documents indicate support for unionization tempered by safeguards against undermining ecclesial mission.
The Church has consistently upheld the right of workers to organize unions as a manifestation of solidarity, subsidiarity, and the dignity of labor. Pope John Paul II in Laborem Exercens describes unions as "an indispensable element of social life," originating from workers' struggles to protect rights against employers, yet oriented toward the common good rather than class conflict.
Unions are indeed a mouthpiece for the struggle for social justice, for the just rights of working people in accordance with their individual professions... [T]his struggle should be seen as a normal endeavour 'for' the just good... not a struggle 'against' others.
This teaching echoes in the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, which views unions as promoters of justice, not contention, and calls them to self-regulation with regard for the common good. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) reinforces this in Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, supporting "the right of workers to choose whether to organize, join a union, and bargain collectively... without reprisal," alongside economic freedom and private property rights. Similarly, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales affirms workers' rights to form unions, just wages, safe conditions, and strikes as a last resort.
In Catholic health care settings—a parallel to educational institutions—the USCCB's Ethical and Religious Directives explicitly requires "recognition of the rights of employees to organize and bargain collectively without prejudice to the common good." Pope Pius X in Singulari quadam permits Catholic participation in unions only if they align with Church teachings, tasking bishops with oversight to prevent conflicts with doctrine.
These principles apply universally, including to intellectual professions: unions for "agricultural workers and... white-collar workers" are endorsed, implying faculty as well.
Catholic universities occupy a unique position, blending academic freedom with fidelity to the Church. Pope John Paul II's Ex Corde Ecclesiae (1990) mandates that universities maintain a living Catholic identity "speaking from the heart of the Church," evident in curriculum, faculty, and community life. This identity links the university to the local bishop and requires adherence to the Magisterium in faith and morals.
Article 4 of Ex Corde Ecclesiae places primary responsibility for Catholic identity on university authorities, who must recruit teachers and administrators "willing and able to promote that identity."
All teachers... are to be faithful to, and all other teachers are to respect, Catholic doctrine and morals in their research and teaching. In particular, Catholic theologians... are to be faithful to the Magisterium... Those... who belong to other Churches... are to recognize and respect the distinctive Catholic identity... the number of non-Catholic teachers should not be allowed to constitute a majority.
Pope John Paul II reiterated this in addresses, emphasizing universities' role in dialogue between faith and sciences while guided by Christ's light. Faculty must be informed of these implications upon appointment.
No sources explicitly mandate or prohibit faculty union recognition at Catholic universities, but tensions arise where unions might challenge Catholic identity—e.g., advocating positions contrary to doctrine on life, marriage, or morals. Church teaching requires unions to avoid political partisanship or actions conflicting with the Magisterium. Bishops must vigilantly oversee associations to protect Catholic members.
In practice, Catholic universities could recognize faculty unions provided they:
Historical context from secondary analysis notes Catholic institutions sometimes imitating secular models, potentially diluting distinctiveness, but reciprocal influences (e.g., great books programs) highlight positive integration. Recent papal emphasis under Pope Leo XIV reaffirms bonds between universities and the Curia.
Catholic universities should approach faculty union recognition favorably, per the Church's endorsement of workers' organizing rights, but with rigorous safeguards to preserve Catholic identity as outlined in Ex Corde Ecclesiae. University leaders, in consultation with bishops, bear responsibility for ensuring unions advance justice without compromising doctrine. This balance fosters authentic human development, echoing the Church's vision of education as formation in truth and virtue.