The union representing newly organized Dartmouth College’s men’s basketball team members has revoked its petition for recognition with the National Labor Relations Board.
Service Employees International Union Local 560 said the petition’s withdrawal signals a strategic change in focus.
According to Local 560 President Chris Peck, the union withdrew the petition to preserve the precedent set by the students with their successful election, fearing the incoming NLRB would rule against the players.
“We will double down on our support for an Ivy League Players Association, expand our group licensing program, and continue to seek legal and administrative avenues to preserve and expand the rights of college athletes,” Mr. Peck said in a statement.
Following the union’s decision to withdraw its petition for recognition, the NLRB dismissed an unfair labor practice lawsuit against Dartmouth on Monday.
The only way that Dartmouth student-athletes could secure union recognition now is if the college moves to voluntarily recognize the union and begins collective bargaining. However, Dartmouth has been openly hostile toward student-athlete unions, arguing that the students are not employees.
The union’s retreat comes as President-Elect Donald Trump is set to reenter the White House on Jan. 20. The new Trump administration could populate the NLRB with a conservative majority. SEIU likely feared a defeat with the NLRB after Mr. Trump reenters the White House.
SEIU’s withdrawal ends a fight for recognition that began in March, when 13 Dartmouth Men’s basketball players voted for a union.
After SEIU won its election that month, the school challenged the vote in court, arguing that student-athletes cannot form a union because they are not employees. A regional NLRB director sided with SEIU and the case was kicked to the NLRB in Washington, D.C.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.
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