UW professor files suit over merit pay

SEATTLE – An associate professor has sued the University of Washington, alleging it failed to provide merit pay raises of at least 2 percent in the 2002-03 academic year.

Duane Storti argued that beginning in 2000-01, the university promised to give the 2 percent raises to all faculty found to have done meritorious work during the previous year.

The university gave such raises during the 2000-01, ‘01-02 and ‘03-04 academic years, but because of budget constraints refused to give them in ‘02-03.

The lawsuit, filed in King County Superior Court last week and served Monday, seeks class-action status and alleges the university breached its contract with faculty. It seeks to have the merit pay provided retroactively for the ‘02-03 academic year.

The lawsuit also alleges the university failed to comply with a public records request filed by Storti in connection with the case.

The university had no comment, spokesman Bob Roseth said.