The legal decision resulted in a partial dismissal of claims alleging retaliation against a Black employee for raising issues about racially derogatory comments by a supervisor. While Duke University successfully dismissed some claims on procedural grounds, the survival of other claims points to ongoing concerns in its labor relations and commitment to anti-discrimination practices, which is critical from an anti-fascist perspective.

Duke Defeats Part of Black Office Worker's Retaliation Lawsuit

Duke University's political contributions, as detailed by OpenSecrets, total $1,663,822 in the 2024 cycle. The organization shows transparency in its funding and maintains a notably low involvement in questionable lobbying activities, as seen by the absence of revolving door incidents. This indicates a moderate positive standing in terms of political contributions and lobbying efforts, reflecting a stance that does not bolster authoritarian influences.

Duke University Profile: Summary • OpenSecrets

Duke University's settlement in this pay discrimination lawsuit underscores significant failings in its labor relations and human rights practices. The allegations include gender-based pay disparities, retaliation against a faculty member for reporting inequitable practices, and systemic issues in internal grievance procedures. Such practices contribute to an oppressive work environment that undermines employee rights and equity, aligning with concerns over complicity in broader authoritarian and exploitative systems.

Duke University Settles Pay Discrimination Lawsuit Amidst Claims of Retaliation and Unequal Treatment – PublicLawLibrary.org

The settlement highlights troubling labor practices at Duke University, where allegations of gender-based pay discrimination and retaliation point to systemic issues in how the institution values and treats its employees. This behavior not only undermines fair labor rights but also contributes to a broader environment of exploitation and inequality, which can indirectly support oppressive power structures.

Duke settles pay discrimination lawsuit filed by School of Medicine professor in 2023

The statements and actions of Duke's executive leadership in the Office of Government Relations, including long-standing engagement and direct communication with political stakeholders, indicate a willingness to align institutional strategies with the priorities of an authoritarian government. This proactive executive political engagement, while aimed at protecting the institution's interests, is seen as problematic when evaluated through an anti-fascism lens.

How Duke’s Office of Government Relations is approaching a second Trump term

The case involved Duke Corporate Education, an affiliate of Duke University, allegedly enforcing policies that discouraged wage discussions—a practice that undermines fair labor rights and worker organization. This behavior contributes to an authoritarian corporate environment where labor rights are suppressed.

Duke subsidiary settles labor charge over worker salary talk | Raleigh News & Observer

The OpenSecrets profile documents Duke University's annual lobbying activities, which suggests a persistent engagement in influencing public policy. From a left-leaning perspective, such sustained lobbying can be seen as a tool that reinforces elite power structures and potentially undermines democratic processes. While the level of activity does not definitively signal direct support for authoritarian policies, its use as a means of political influence contributes negatively to the broader landscape of democratic accountability.

Duke University Profile: Lobbying • OpenSecrets

Duke University's turnaround on its stance towards graduate student unionization demonstrates a commitment to improving labor practices and respecting worker rights. The overwhelming vote in favor of unionization underlines a positive step in addressing long-standing concerns over labor conditions, aligning with ethical business practices and supporting labor rights.

Duke grad student workers vote to unionize

The article details Duke University's efforts to block unionization among graduate student workers by changing rules and delaying union votes. These practices reflect union-busting tactics that undermine worker rights and contribute to broader authoritarian labor practices, as the move undermines fair labor practices and workplace democracy.

To Keep Grad Students From Unionizing, Duke University Wants to Change the Rules

The administration's refusal to recognize the graduate student union has intensified discontent among student workers and their supporters. This stance undermines labor rights and fair treatment, reflecting a disregard for ethical labor practices. By not providing union recognition voluntarily, Duke University signals a prioritization of institutional interests over the well-being and rights of its graduate students, contributing to a broader pattern of neglect in worker rights.

Duke grad students continue unionization efforts without recognition from administration

The unionization process at Duke, as advocated by the Duke Graduate Students Union, demonstrates strong labor rights activism and a commitment to democratic worker representation. This is a positive action in challenging exploitative practices and authoritarian management structures within academic institutions, aligning well with anti-fascist and pro-worker labor practices.

The Unionization Process — Duke Graduate Students Union

The guidelines explicitly prohibit the use of Duke's facilities, funds, and personnel for supporting any partisan political activity. This adherence to strict political neutrality reduces the risk of institutional complicity in partisan political influence and upholds democratic values. By enforcing these policies, Duke University demonstrates a commitment to preventing its resources from being exploited to advance authoritarian or fascist agendas.

Voting, Political Activity and Engagement with Government Officials