Rally revitalizes talks over univ. workers' contracts
Kristi Tousignant
Issue date: 5/5/08 Section: News
Student activist groups held a May Day rally Friday to advocate labor rights and highlight university workers' struggles to gain fair work conditions.
University workers united last semester to speak out against discrimination in the workplace - particularly against non-English speaking workers - and held forums to protest low wages, shift changes and sexual harassment. Six months after workers' groups pushed their harassment into the public eye, union officials have succeeded in re-opening contract discussions.
Friday's rally featured a coalition of student groups who voiced concerns about immigrants', workers' and graduate students' rights in honor of May Day, a date which historically recognizes the labor movement.
"There are so many issues here XXXXXX
on campus," said Carter Thomas, president of Students and Workers Unite!. "We want to make clear that campus labor activism is currently going on."
A group of 25 people gathered for the event sponsored by Students and Workers Unite!, Feminism Without Borders, College Park Students for a Democratic Society, the Asian American Student Union and Community Roots.
Landscape Technician Supervisor Craig Newman, who also represents a local workers union, said there are still labor problems at the university but acknowledged that they are being addressed.
"This is about respect and justice," Newman said. "I'm tired of seeing people respected because they have money or control. It is not just about personal wealth."
Newman said discussions between workers and upper administration are going on now, though he said he did not expect a solution to be reached for several weeks.
Newman's main point of contention was the change in housekeeping shifts imposed by the administration last semester, saving the university $300,000, Newman said.
"The easiest place to save money is among those who don't speak," Newman said. "But now, we are willing to talk."
University workers united last semester to speak out against discrimination in the workplace - particularly against non-English speaking workers - and held forums to protest low wages, shift changes and sexual harassment. Six months after workers' groups pushed their harassment into the public eye, union officials have succeeded in re-opening contract discussions.
Friday's rally featured a coalition of student groups who voiced concerns about immigrants', workers' and graduate students' rights in honor of May Day, a date which historically recognizes the labor movement.
"There are so many issues here XXXXXX
on campus," said Carter Thomas, president of Students and Workers Unite!. "We want to make clear that campus labor activism is currently going on."
A group of 25 people gathered for the event sponsored by Students and Workers Unite!, Feminism Without Borders, College Park Students for a Democratic Society, the Asian American Student Union and Community Roots.
Landscape Technician Supervisor Craig Newman, who also represents a local workers union, said there are still labor problems at the university but acknowledged that they are being addressed.
"This is about respect and justice," Newman said. "I'm tired of seeing people respected because they have money or control. It is not just about personal wealth."
Newman said discussions between workers and upper administration are going on now, though he said he did not expect a solution to be reached for several weeks.
Newman's main point of contention was the change in housekeeping shifts imposed by the administration last semester, saving the university $300,000, Newman said.
"The easiest place to save money is among those who don't speak," Newman said. "But now, we are willing to talk."
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Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Concerned Alum
posted 5/05/08 @ 4:12 PM EST
Wow! To save $300,000 dollars the University puts people through something like this. These housekeepers must be getting up at 3 am to come to work!
How awful. (Continued…)
John Doe
posted 5/06/08 @ 8:48 AM EST
Those work hours for the housekeepers are pretty rough. I've seen them trying to mop and sweep during classes while the halls are empty for a little bit. (Continued…)
john
posted 5/06/08 @ 7:27 PM EST
This article upset me. I graduated --- well a long time ago --before the University got to be so elite. There's an article in today's Diamondback that tells about an employee who was robbed of her id and keys. (Continued…)
Concerned
posted 5/06/08 @ 8:03 PM EST
The University is squeezing the workers who can afford it the least. When someone gets hurt trying to do their job, they are going to wind up paying more than the $300,000 they are "saving". (Continued…)
Amazed Alum
posted 5/10/08 @ 10:25 AM EST
I am astonished that such things would go on at the university!
And saddened, too.
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