Incorporating the terms of a collective bargaining agreement in an employment contract by reference sets the contract’s controlling provisions

Incorporating the terms of a collective bargaining agreement in an employment contract by reference sets the contract’s controlling provisions
Drucker v Hofstra Univ., App. Div., Second Dept, 279 A.D.2d 472

The Drucker case demonstrates the fact that if the terms of a collective bargaining agreement have been incorporated by reference into an employment contract between the individual and his or her employer, the courts will hold the parties to the controlling provisions set out in the collective bargaining agreement.

Hoftra University said that it was terminating Susan J. Drucker from her position as Chair of the Department of Speech Communication and Rhetorical Studies "for good cause" .

The reason given by Hofstra for Drucker's dismissal: she had failed to maintain "an effective communication climate" with her faculty in violation of Hofstra University's Faculty Policy.

Drucker appealed, contending that her termination was unlawful because she had been employed "unconditionally."

The Appellate Division affirmed a lower court's dismissal of her petition, commenting that the University's action was not arbitrary, capricious, or irrational.

Instead of being hired "unconditionally," the court said that the collective bargaining agreement was "incorporated by reference into [Drucker's] contract of employment...."

The collective bargaining agreement provided that Drucker could be removed for "good cause" upon the filing of a petition signed by two-thirds of the membership of her department, followed by a meeting between the dean and the department membership.

Finding that the record demonstrated that the University had followed the procedures set out in the collective bargaining agreement and that Drucker "had ample opportunity to present her side of the case," the Appellate Division concluded that there was no basis for nullifying the University's action.