Church Women United apologizes to fired staff

Christian Century, Dec 12, 2001

As part of a mediation effort to resolve charges against it, Church Women United, the ecumenical women's organization that cut almost half its staff about a year ago, has issued a public statement acknowledging the dedication and hard work of the laid-off employees.

"Although the board believes that the reorganization and staff reductions were vital to the organization, CWU deeply regrets the impact of its decision on the former staff," the statement reads. "The board acknowledges the hard work, dedication and contribution of our former staff to CWU."

Last December, the organization, which now has eight staff members, laid off five full-time staffers and two part-time workers. Included in the cuts was Executive Director Kathleen S. Hurty, who was told on December 8 to resign immediately or be fired. She and others protested the legality of the dismissal, and United Methodist officials threatened to withhold support funds.

However, Annie Llamoso-Songco, CWU editor, recently told Religion News Service, "Everything on the public statement has been agreed to by both parties." The statement said mediation with former staffers began in April and included discussion of severance issues. Asked if those matters had been resolved, Llamoso-Songco said both parties had agreed to keep details of the mediation confidential.

The organization's board has committed to working on financial stability, strengthening ecumenical relationships, and focusing on the organization's priority for 2000-2004, "strengthening families worldwide in the 21st century." Founded in 1941, the racially and ethnically diverse organization is a grass-roots movement that includes Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox women. The public statement concluded by saying, "CWU and the former staff gratefully acknowledge the wise counsel received during this transition period from denominational executives and representatives, and from ecumenical partners and leaders around the world." --RNS