 Wesleyan food service workers are members of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union (HERE), Local 217. On February 28, 1999, their union contract will expire. Wesleyan union members are presently negotiating a new contract with Aramark. Erin Peterson works at Summerfields and the Campus Center Cafe and is also on the negotiating committee. In the following interview Erin explains some of the major issues of the campaign. Students who are interested in lending their support should look out for USLAC actions taking place this month.
Karen: Erin, how long have you worked at Wesleyan, and when did the union form? Erin: I've worked here 10 years, and the union was formed back in the early 80s. I really admire and respect the workers who formed the union. I know the importance of a union. My mother was a teacher and she always told me that you never cross the picket line. With the power of collective bargaining you're able to receive benefits you wouldn't receive as an individual. A union means you can say, "I won't work for six dollars an hour." Karen: How has being in the union affected your job? Erin: I can make a change in my life. Every three years when the contract expires we have the opportunity to negotiate with the company for all the workers, to ensure that we have job security, respect, a living wage and benefits. When workers believe the contract is being violated they have the opportunity to use the grievance procedure. On non-union worksites workers don't have that recourse. Karen: What are the major issues in these negotiations? Erin: We have four major goals: more 40 hour jobs, continued quality health care, an improved pension plan, and community standards. Karen: Can you explain the 40-hour work week? Erin: It is important to realize that when you take the overall income of a food service worker and compare it to the cost of living in New England, it lies within the low-income to poverty range. For example, my income in 1998 was a total of $20,000. This is a significant increase for me, because the previous year I worked 26.5 hours, and my income was about $16,000. Looking at these numbers, it's obvious we need more 40 hour jobs and wage increases in this contract. Karen: And what are the concerns surrounding health benefits? Erin: Our union and other unions will be working with Aramark to hopefully get many Connecticut cafeteria workers under the same health care plan. The more workers that are under one plan, the better the plan becomes. Karen: How about the issue of the pension? Erin: Social Security benefits are not enough to live on. It is vital that employees have an adequate pension as well. And the pension should be enough so that they do not live in poverty. We need a better pension than the one we have now. I should not have to work until I am 80 to feed myself. Karen: What do you mean by community standards? Erin: Many workers here are part of the Middletown community and want very much to be recognized as part of the Wesleyan community as well. Specifically we would like tuition benefits similar to those received by the clerical workers and Physical Plant workers. Karen: How can students assist with contract negotiations? Erin: Students should remember that they have a very powerful voice. When the students mobilize the administration takes action. Since the administration hires Aramark to run the food service, Wesleyan ultimately has the power to ensure a fair contract is reached. It is important for students to recognize that when their college years are over, we're still here. 
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