Duquesne University v. NLRB (SLIP OPINION FORMAT)

# Duquesne University v. NLRB: What Workers Need to Know **What Happened** Adjunct faculty members at Duquesne University, with union support, sought protection under federal labor law. These part-time instructors wanted the right to organize and bargain collectively over wages and working conditions. The union argued the adjuncts qualified as employees under the National Labor Relations Act. **What the Court Decided** The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the NLRB (National Labor Relations Board) in September 2020, ruling that Duquesne's adjunct faculty members do not qualify for federal labor protections. This meant the union's request to reconsider the decision was rejected, making the ruling final. **Why This Matters for Workers** This decision affects adjunct instructors nationwide. Without labor law protections, these part-time faculty members cannot legally organize, strike, or negotiate collectively for better pay and benefits. The ruling suggests courts may exclude certain categories of workers—particularly part-timers in higher education—from labor rights that full-time employees typically enjoy. This limits their ability to advocate for workplace improvements.