There’s an old legal maxim that says justice delayed is justice denied.
Chris Dukes of Local 2836 (State University Organization of Administrative Faculty) has experienced the painful truth of those words. However, thanks to his dogged determination, and the perseverance of his AFSCME union, he is moving closer to justice.
On Nov. 30, a state arbitrator ordered Central Connecticut State University in New Britain to reinstate Dukes to his old job as Director of Student Conduct at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain—nearly two years after he was unjustly fired.
In a 37-page decision, Arbitrator Joseph Celentano of the Connecticut State Board of Mediation and Arbitration ruled that Dukes was terminated without just cause in December 2018. Celentano ordered CCSU to reinstate Dukes to be reinstated to his job, make him whole for all economic losses (including full salary and general wage increases) in the two years he was out of work and fully purge his record of any discipline.
“My family and I are beyond pleased. Knowing my innocence, and the wealth of information supporting it, this is the exact outcome we had hoped for and expected,” Dukes said. “I’m pleased with the fact that instead of focusing on accusations, [the arbitrator] actually took the time that no one else has done to actually look at all the facts and all the evidence.”
CCSU had terminated Dukes and fought his reinstatement even after prosecutors dismissed all criminal charges against him related to an April 2018 domestic incident.
Local 2836 President Gregg Crerar said, “This arbitration award is a significant victory for Chris Dukes and for our SUOAF/AFSCME union. It's been a long and terrible ordeal for him, but our union is ecstatic about the outcome and thrilled that Chris will return to the CCSU campus.”
“Through collective bargaining, we were able to right a terrible wrong that was done to Chris,” added Crerar, who is the Director of Community Advancement at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven.
SUOAF represents 800 administrative faculty in the Connecticut State College and University System and the Board of Regents.
SUOAF/CCSU Chapter President Lisa Bigelow also praised the arbitrator’s decision.
“This ruling holds the university accountable for their actions and reinstates a beloved and valuable member of the CCSU family, who has suffered greatly, both personally and professionally, for no good reason,” said Bigelow, who is the Director of Institutional Advancement at CCSU, she added.
Dukes, a CCSU graduate, said his case is a reminder of the need for union representation.
“This experience truly has been hell on earth,” he reflected. “My family was hurt deeply, but we persevered. I am truly appreciative to have a union that is willing and able to fight for its members up to and through arbitration when management violates a member’s rights.”
AFSCME Council 4 Staff Representative-Attorney Kelly Rommel served as the union’s and Duke’s advocate through the grievance appeal and arbitration processes.
“Kelly did an amazing job in preparing and arguing this case,” Crerar said. “Chris is an immensely respected figure on campus. We will continue to stand behind him in urging the university to accept the arbitrator's decision so we can all move forward.”
Bigelow said that Dukes’ case further demonstrates the power of collective bargaining and substantiates why union members did not leave the union in large numbers following the 2018 Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court decision, which nationalized “Right To Work For Less” in the public sector.
“The ‘union’ is not our leadership,” she observed. “Our strength is in our numbers and the fact we stand and act as one, steadfast and determined, providing representation to anyone whose contractual rights and privileges have been abridged.”
Dukes looks forward to returning to the campus where he has spent virtually all of his adult life as a student and employee.
“From the time I was 18 to the age of 46, CCSU was my home and that was stolen for me. It was ripped away from me and left this big, gaping hole in my heart and spirit,” he reflected. “I want to get back to work and resume serving as an advocate and a guiding light for our students.”
