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Georgetown and Livable Wages
by MARK HEKEMIAN

http://www.vermontcynic.com/media/paper308/news/2005/11/15/News/Georgetown.And.Livable.Wages-1058206.shtml?norewrite&sourcedomain=www.vermontcynic.com

Even though there is a lot of activism on the UVM campus, what is the climate like at
other universities and colleges? Have any universities agreed to give all workers
living wages including costs for all basic necessities? Georgetown University and
Washington University have taken recent steps to give workers favorable contracts
including better wages. This article examines these contracts and the lingering
questions of student activists.

Twenty-six Georgetown students had a nine day hunger strike in March of 2005. In
response to the University's unwillingness to comply with activists, Student
President Pravin Rajan said, "We wholeheartedly support living wage's passion for
improving workers' lives. These workers are a silent but integral part of our
community." (Georgetown University Student Association, March 14, 2005) The student
president listed some benefits the university should provide such as increased
daycare, effective ESL programs, and equal wages for University employees and
contract workers.

The hunger strike ended as the Just Employment Policy (available at the Georgetown
website) was created by Senior Vice President Spiros Dimolitsas and the Advisory
Committee on Business Practices (ACBP). All of the information concerning
Georgetown's worker contracts can be found at the Georgetown University website
(http://www.georgetown.edu/svp/acbp.html).

One of the goals of the Just Employment Policy is to give workers livable wages. The
minimum wages of contract workers, such as cleaning staff and food service, are lower
than directly hired University employees. Before July 1st, 2005, the total
compensation for full-time contract workers was a minimum of $11.33/hr. After July
1st, 2005, the total compensation was raised to a minimum of $13.00/hr. Starting July
1st, 2007, the total compensation is supposed to increase to $14.00/hr. After this
point, the wages are supposed to change along with the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).
This takes into account changes in the market such as inflation.

The Just Employment Policy also grants many other rights to workers such as equal
access; this includes "library privileges, English as a Second Language courses,
Georgetown University Transportation Shuttles, and general financial planning
information." Some other rights are freedom of association, job security, union
representation when desired, and part time work if and only if full time work is
unavailable (assuming the employee wants fulltime work). This is similar to some of
the goals of United Academics (faculty) at UVM.

The Living Wage Action Center (LWAC) -- found at
http://www.livingwageaction.org/index.htm -- was formed by activist students from
some colleges such as Georgetown and Washington University. Even though Georgetown
has implemented policies that are supposed to benefit workers, it is questionable
whether the University has abided by these policies.

According to the LWAC, certain members of the cleaning staff were still being paid
less than $10/hr in August of 2005. On November 3rd, 2005, the Georgetown Solidarity
Community had a rally and submitted a letter to the President and Vice President
stating that the University is not paying the increased wages that they were supposed
to. They claimed that the living wages, which the University mentioned in the Just
Employment Policy, were not being met. These wages are supposed to be able to pay for
"housing, health care, child care, transportation, taxes, food, and other basic
necessities."

There was also a press release entitled "Workers Speak Out: Janitors Not Receiving
Living Wage as Promised; Demand Better Wages and Benefits and Transparency by Nov.
14, 2005." During the rally, Sylvia Garcia, a janitor, spoke out about the
injustices. According to the article, "her speech clearly indicates the disparity
between what the workers are receiving and the policy the University believes it is
implementing." The Georgetown Solidarity Community was asking for detailed
descriptions of the compensation packages from the Just Employment Policy.

There has also been much student protest in Washington University in St. Louis.
According to "SLActivists at Washington University Sit-In for Fair Wages," written in
Summer 2005 SLActivist News, Washington University agreed to give one million dollars
to low wage workers over the course of the following two years; in addition a
committee of administration, faculty, and students was created that helps to serve
the needs of workers directly hired by the university and contract workers. This and
other agreements were negotiated after an 18-day sit-in; this was the second longest
one where students advocated for livable wages.

It is clear there was a huge push from student and worker activists in Georgetown
University and Washington University. Student activists gave a valiant effort at
supporting workers' rights. In response, the Universities implemented policies that
increased wages for contract workers. Are the Universities following these policies?
How is Georgetown, in particular, going to compensate for the increased wages? These
important questions remain unanswered.

UVM has taken some measures to show appreciation to the staff such as Staff
Recognition Week. There were several events held September 12-19th such as a Social
on the Green where lunch was served. There was also Facilities Appreciation Week in
October; students in some dorms signed and then placed very large thank you notes on
bathroom doors or walls.

These events help to create a better environment for workers, but do not in any way
replace the need for fairer contracts for all workers. Workers who don't receive
enough money to cover basic necessities still suffer. What is the minimum wage for
UVM university employees and contract employees such as Sodexho workers? Does UVM
have a climate able to create a massive movement comparable to that of Georgetown
University or Washington University? All these questions remain.



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I intend to last long enough to put out of business all *****-suckers
and other beneficiaries of the institutionalized slavery and genocide.

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"The army that will defeat terrorism doesn't wear uniforms, or drive
Humvees, or calls in air-strikes. It doesn't have a high command, or
high security, or a high budget. The army that can defeat terrorism
does battle quietly, clearing minefields and vaccinating children. It
undermines military dictatorships and military lobbyists. It subverts
sweatshops and special interests.Where people feel powerless, it
helps them organize for change, and where people are powerful, it
reminds them of their responsibility." ~~~~ Author Unknown ~~~~
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