When the scientists saw their income and benefits were being curtailed, they began efforts to form a union that would represent the scientists in dealings with the employer. The employer said that a union would not be recognized because the scientists were professionals and that as such, they are not the lower-level workers who are represented by unions. The scientists argued that they were workers who didn't supervise anyone, and that they didn't set management policy or otherwise determine how the business would be run. The employer reiterated that the scientists were professionals with doctorate degrees and were ineligible to be represented by unions.