Seattle, WA: (Jul-05-07) A class action lawsuit was brought against the University of Washington by one of its part-time lecturers, who claimed that the university owed back pay to close to 980 adjuncts. The suit claimed that the 980 adjuncts had worked at the university since 2001 and not been compensated adequately. It also requested a 6% raise to adjuncts in that group who return to teach at the university during the next academic year. Susan Helf, an adjunct, sued the university in 2006 for failing to give its lecturers 2% annual merit-pay increases since 2001. She argued that Washington's University Handbook mandated the raises.
In a settlement reached, the University of Washington agreed to distribute a total of $500,000 in back pay to about 980 adjuncts who have worked at the university since 2001, resolving the class action employment suit. [SEATTLE TIMES: TEACHERS RAISES]
