Oxford UP Union Condemns Layoff of Unit Chair

The Oxford University Press USA Guild has condemned the layoff of its unit chair Scott Morales, who is strategy and transformation coordinator at Oxford University Press, as "an illegal and retaliatory act" by management following the Guild's recent threats to strike following stalled contract negotiations.

According to a statement from the Guild, Morales, who had worked at OUP for more than 15 years, was informed on April 17 that he would be laid off effective immediately. The Guild is in the process of filing an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board regarding the layoff, which it said "represents a blatant pattern of behavior by the Press in which they have failed to show good faith at the bargaining table and have repeatedly violated labor law."

In a statement to PW, OUP said, "The decision to remove the role in question was a business decision, unrelated to any economic reason or the individual’s role with the Guild. We continue to negotiate in good faith with the Guild."

"We would also like to clarify that although the Guild has raised claims with the NRLB, as they are entitled to do, no final decision regarding the charges has been made," OUP continued, "and we are confident that we have acted—and will continue to act—in compliance with US Labor Law, and in accordance with our management rights."