Galveston Attorney Joe Jaworski has announced that he plans to file a lawsuit on behalf of the Texas Faculty Association against the University of Texas Board of Regents and other officials.
The suit will allege that the regents violated the Texas Open Meetings Act when they held a closed meeting and conference phone calls before announcing the layoffs of 3,800 employees of the University of Texas Medical Branch.
As 2 on the Beat has reported, UTMB suffered massive storm damage as a result of Hurricane Ike.
Two weeks ago employees started receiving their walking papers, because the research and teaching hospital could not longer afford to meet its payroll while operating on a limited basis.
I spoke with Attorney Jaworski tonight who said the layoffs and impact on Galveston are “catastrophic.”
“The UT System Board of Regents have shocked all Texans by choosing to dismantle the institution rather than rebuild with insurance, FEMA money and other available state and federal funds,” says Jaworski.
“It’s a vicious, cruel and immoral and abusive attack on thousands of loyal UTMB employees who have already been traumatized by Hurricane Ike,” said TFA Executive Director Tom Johnson.
The lawsuit will be filed Wednesday morning at the Galveston County State District Courthouse.
2 on the Beat will keep you posted.
Mary Benton Media 