Saturday, April 17, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The Right to Organize at Clark - One step Closer to Being Real!
Dear Clark Community,
Thank you to everyone who took a stand of solidarity with Sodexo workers. Today, we are thrilled to tell the Clark community that Sodexo workers on campus may no longer feel that they have to choose between voicing support for a union, or losing hours, a raise, or even a job.
Next week, Sodexo will notify its employees that all employees who are scheduled and working during the Spring 2010 semester, through May 23rd, will be rehired for the Fall 2010 semester. The fall schedules will be subject to Clark's enrollment being at or very close to this year's level, and the wording of this statement is being finalized now. Now workers know that they will get their jobs back.
Also, starting today, Sodexo will be distributing to its employees copies of President Bassett's statement to the Clark University Community dated April 6th 2010. This memo states that "no workers on the University campus will be subjected to harassment because of their membership or non-membership in a labor union or their activity in support of or derogation of union representation". This is a huge step toward ensuring the right to organize, and a victory for fair treatment of all workers.
The Clark administration has also agreed to a moderated dialogue regarding the Labor Code of Conduct, which would create a policy ensuring that all employees at Clark receive fair treatment and wages. And lastly, Clark has committed to finding an appropriate process for workers to communicate with the Clark administration about grievances they cannot bring to Sodexo management.
The fight is far from over. We know now that workers will keep their jobs, but there are no guarantees that they won't face hours being cut, intimidation, or other reprisals. We need to make sure Clark University adopts a Labor Code of Conduct which is meaningful and just, so that workers still have protection after they are re-hired in the fall. And, once they are rehired, we need to work to ensure that Sodexo remains neutral in workers' choice to unionize.
This has been a long and difficult process that has resulted in valuable lessons for Clark Unite! as a campus organizing group. We understand there are concerns with our past actions, and we do not take them lightly. We encourage your input. We can be reached at clark.unite.solidarity@gmail.
Now it is time to raise awareness about Clark's support and to keep the pressure on Sodexo by supporting workers at the Crystal Pond Park rally this Saturday April 17th at 11 am. The rally will be an opportunity to show Sodexo workers and Clark University that we are grateful for this huge step, but that we will stand behind all of the workers as they make demands for a just workplace. The workers and students will always be united.
In Solidarity,
Clark Unite!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Response to Bassett's memo
President Bassett:
We appreciate your statement in support of workers’ rights, specifically the Labor Code of Conduct, and we expect your statement to be the administration’s first step toward a binding labor policy. This policy must be public, official, and sent to all stakeholders at this University, especially and most importantly food service workers. Your letter not only inadequately addresses right to recall and intimidation, but completely ignores a policy of neutrality and current labor violations on campus.
Neutrality means that the university will notify its employees and the employees of its contractors and subcontractors, in writing, that it respects their rights regarding union representation. Further, the university must convey to all employees involved that there will be no negative consequences for exercising their right to support union representation. Many Sodexo workers say they are afraid that they will lose their jobs if they vote for the union. The fact that your statement was not sent to the workers calls into question whether you truly include them as members of our Clark community. We expect the university to communicate with food service workers about these issues, which most directly affect them.
Like your most recent letter to the student body, Sodexo’s public statements to newspapers about right to recall lack any true commitment to enforcing values you claim to uphold. Right to recall must be a policy, not a supposed set of ideals. Furthermore, such a policy when communicated to workers will allow them to openly make a decision that they feel is best for themselves and their families. Due to repeated discrimination against pro-union workers, right to recall must be based solely on seniority. Workers must be offered the same position, follow the same schedule, and work at the same locations. If right to recall is already policy, as Jim Collins repeatedly stated in our last meeting and as you claim in your most recent letter, there should be no qualms with enforcing the policy publicly and transparently by both Clark administration and Sodexo. Additionally, this is why we have previously demanded immediate and full access to all existing contracts with outside vendors, contractors and subcontractors.
President Bassett, you have repeatedly alleged that there is a culture of respect and professionalism between Clark, Sodexo, and food service workers. However, there is no such culture at Clark. To name just one example, one worker, who is vocally pro-union, had her hours cut and was forced to take on a second job to support her family. Workers are not even permitted to formally submit their thoughts and concerns to management in writing. Simply because our food service workers are subcontracted does not enable Clark to ignore poor wages and working conditions, disrespect in the workplace, unaffordable health-care, or intimidation. Just as our university has shown a commitment to the city of Worcester, it should be a given that we have an even stronger commitment to community members who are employed at our institution.
We would like to address recent concerns regarding a lack of dialogue between Clark Unite and the administration. We first notified administration on January 29th, 2010 about the intimidation of workers on our campus. We participated in multiple meetings as a means to open up a dialogue while stressing the urgency that the issue be addressed before the end of the semester. During this time, labor and wage violations continued. You categorically denied our reports about conditions in the workplace that had come from our communication with workers, and also all of our demands. Your commitment to a Labor Code of Conduct is commendable in that it is necessary. However, this would guarantee labor rights in the long term, and does not address the urgency of current organizing on our campus. The demands we have previously laid out are the bare minimum to ensure a fair labor environment and to maintain job security for all food service workers at Clark University, and are therefore non-negotiable to maintain Clark University's principles, values, and mission.
As stated in our previous letter, Clark Unite! expects Clark University to provide signed documentation and to publicly commit to establishing these demands as university policy no later than 12 PM on Friday, April 9, 2010. A lack of policy and a reliance on Sodexo corporate statements and culture of professionalism ignores that Sodexo has every incentive and ability to dismiss and intimidate pro-union workers. Please contact us via email at ssusman@clarku.edu. We look forward to your response.
We appreciate your statement in support of workers’ rights, specifically the Labor Code of Conduct, and we expect your statement to be the administration’s first step toward a binding labor policy. This policy must be public, official, and sent to all stakeholders at this University, especially and most importantly food service workers. Your letter not only inadequately addresses right to recall and intimidation, but completely ignores a policy of neutrality and current labor violations on campus.
Neutrality means that the university will notify its employees and the employees of its contractors and subcontractors, in writing, that it respects their rights regarding union representation. Further, the university must convey to all employees involved that there will be no negative consequences for exercising their right to support union representation. Many Sodexo workers say they are afraid that they will lose their jobs if they vote for the union. The fact that your statement was not sent to the workers calls into question whether you truly include them as members of our Clark community. We expect the university to communicate with food service workers about these issues, which most directly affect them.
Like your most recent letter to the student body, Sodexo’s public statements to newspapers about right to recall lack any true commitment to enforcing values you claim to uphold. Right to recall must be a policy, not a supposed set of ideals. Furthermore, such a policy when communicated to workers will allow them to openly make a decision that they feel is best for themselves and their families. Due to repeated discrimination against pro-union workers, right to recall must be based solely on seniority. Workers must be offered the same position, follow the same schedule, and work at the same locations. If right to recall is already policy, as Jim Collins repeatedly stated in our last meeting and as you claim in your most recent letter, there should be no qualms with enforcing the policy publicly and transparently by both Clark administration and Sodexo. Additionally, this is why we have previously demanded immediate and full access to all existing contracts with outside vendors, contractors and subcontractors.
President Bassett, you have repeatedly alleged that there is a culture of respect and professionalism between Clark, Sodexo, and food service workers. However, there is no such culture at Clark. To name just one example, one worker, who is vocally pro-union, had her hours cut and was forced to take on a second job to support her family. Workers are not even permitted to formally submit their thoughts and concerns to management in writing. Simply because our food service workers are subcontracted does not enable Clark to ignore poor wages and working conditions, disrespect in the workplace, unaffordable health-care, or intimidation. Just as our university has shown a commitment to the city of Worcester, it should be a given that we have an even stronger commitment to community members who are employed at our institution.
We would like to address recent concerns regarding a lack of dialogue between Clark Unite and the administration. We first notified administration on January 29th, 2010 about the intimidation of workers on our campus. We participated in multiple meetings as a means to open up a dialogue while stressing the urgency that the issue be addressed before the end of the semester. During this time, labor and wage violations continued. You categorically denied our reports about conditions in the workplace that had come from our communication with workers, and also all of our demands. Your commitment to a Labor Code of Conduct is commendable in that it is necessary. However, this would guarantee labor rights in the long term, and does not address the urgency of current organizing on our campus. The demands we have previously laid out are the bare minimum to ensure a fair labor environment and to maintain job security for all food service workers at Clark University, and are therefore non-negotiable to maintain Clark University's principles, values, and mission.
As stated in our previous letter, Clark Unite! expects Clark University to provide signed documentation and to publicly commit to establishing these demands as university policy no later than 12 PM on Friday, April 9, 2010. A lack of policy and a reliance on Sodexo corporate statements and culture of professionalism ignores that Sodexo has every incentive and ability to dismiss and intimidate pro-union workers. Please contact us via email at ssusman@clarku.edu. We look forward to your response.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
300 Walk Out For Workers Rights: Protest Administration’s Failure to Act
Yesterday, Thursday, April 1st, three hundred students and faculty left class and marched past Clark University administrative offices in support of food service workers. The crowd chanted, "What do we want? Worker rehire! What do we want? Neutrality! When do we want it now? Now!" These chants were a vocalization of the simple demands that Clark Unite!, the organizers of the event, have been requesting the university enact.Clark Unite! has met with university president, John Bassett, as well as the incoming president, David Angel, on multiple occasions to address concerns about the treatment of Sodexo employees. Sodexo is subcontracted by the university to provide all food on campus. Jeremy Weyl, a student, notes, "These issues were brought to the attention of the administration in January and there has still been no tangible action." Clark Unite! is calling for the administration to support preferential rehire, a policy of neutrality, and to ratify a labor code of conduct. In a letter delivered today, Clark Unite! states that they expect Clark University to provide signed documentation and to publicly commit to establishing these demands as university policy no later than Friday, April 9.
Over half the student body, countless alumni, and 78 faculty members have signed a petition asking Bassett to speak out against corporate intimidation and harassment. Additionally, the Clark University Student Council has endorsed Clark Unite!’s proposals, as well as over 40 other student groups and associations.
Clark Unite! is organizing in solidarity with workers considering the option of unionization under the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 615. Sodexo has been punishing pro-union workers at Clark, cutting hours while hiring new workers, cross-training to make workers expendable, conducting illegal surveillance of union meetings, and using other intimidation methods. Workers are organizing for respect in the workplace, a living wage, and affordable health care benefits.
Hannah Caruso, a student, says, “Bassett’s response falls shockingly and disappointingly short of the commitment the university supposedly has made to the community. Clark University's slogan, "Challenge Convention, Change Our World" has become an empty cliche. Where is the action? Clark must address all of these issues in order to maintain its position as a leader in social responsbility.”
Clark Unite! is a group of Clark students, faculty, staff, and alumni committed to organizing around issues of social and economic justice. They work to promote equal access to dignified employment, worker's rights to organize, and the fair distribution of resources. They support Sodexo food service workers' right to organize for better working conditions without intimidation. Clark Unite! values the workers’ service to the Clark community.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)