University of Pennsylvania settles with NLRB, union

The University of Pennsylvania distributed an e-mail in the midst of a strike by graduate student-employees that warned that

"Staff members who do not report to work because of strike-related conditions may not be paid for the time absent and may be subject to disciplinary action."

The University, without admitting fault, agreed to send out a standard letter that says that administrators will not threaten employees "with possible discipline for concertedly engaging with other employees in refusing to cross lawful picket lines." It is an unfair labor practice to "interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed" under the National Labor Relations Act. (section 8(a)(1)). Generally, a threat of disciplinary action in reprisal for collective activity is an unfair labor practice and may be cause for Board intervention.