NLRB: ESL Instructors at Loyola Chicago May Unionize

A regional office of the National Labor Relations Board ruled last week that English as a second language instructors at Loyola University Chicago may vote on whether to unionize. Loyola challenged the right to unionize, arguing that collective bargaining would interfere with the institution's rights as a Roman Catholic institution to decide on its own policies without government interference. The NLRB office's ruling, however, found that the ESL instructors were not required or expected to perform religious duties, and so rejected the university's request. The case is among a number on similar issues that are expected to eventually lead to court rulings on the matter.