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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who started the campaign--the workers, the Union, or the students?
A: Workers wanted to get a union for three years but couldn't get the support and resources they needed to get started. In April, 1999, Sarah Leberstein '99 spoke to workers about their situation and called SEIU Local 531 to get more support.
Q: What has the workers' role been in the campaign?
A: The workers were key to the unionization process, as they kept each other informed of the campaign and solicited support for it from each other. The workers have kept each other informed about the campaign, solicited support for unionization from other Initial workers. Workers attend biweekly members' meetings at the Hartford Union Hall, and negotiations with Initial Cleaning Services. Workers also speak weekly to USLAC and write WESPEAKS.
Q: How much will a living wage, benefits, a pension, and paid vacations for the janitors cost Wesleyan?
A: $216,000 annually. Consider the fact that Barbara Jan Wilson, VP of University Relations intends to raise $200,000 a day for Wesleyan. Consider the 15 million dollars we spent on Long Lane property--which is land, grass, and old buildings--not human beings with families--and for which we have no definite plans. Consider the 10 million dollars we are spending on classroom renovations, most of which is spent on already adequate rooms.
Q: What is Wesleyan's official position?
A: Bennet's position is one of non-intervention. See his WESpeak. However, there is no such thing as non-intervention. His stance communicates to Initial that we do not want to pay Initial more if they raise wages and offer benefits. Here's a quote from Robert Taylor, Treasurer of the university:
"Wesleyan University's policy is to receive quality service at competitive cost from each contractor in order to maximize the resources available to support our educational mission. I reiterate that it remains solely the responsibility of the contractor to resolve the terms of employment with its employees."
Q: Is this a racial issue?
A: 27 out of 29 of the workers are Latino. The other 2 workers are Polish. They are the most poorly paid workers on campus. For a school devoted to affirmative action and "diversity", this seems hypocritical. Ajua Campos, La Casa, SOAR, Asian/Pacific American Alliance, and Ujamaa certainly think this is racially charged.
Q: Is this a gender issue?
A: The gender ratio for Initial workers is about 50:50.
Q: Who has demonstrated support for the workers?
A: Ajua Campos, La Casa, SOAR (Students Organized Against Racism), Ujamaa, The Wesleyan Student Assembly, 1400 Wesleyan students, 128 Professors, The University Chaplains, The American studies and Latin American studies departments, Wesleyan's Food Service Workers, and parents who have e-mailed President Bennet.
Q: What exactly is USLAC?
A: USLAC is the United Sudent-Labor Action Coalition, a student-run organization started five years ago at Wesleyan. It consists of about 30 students.
Q: When and where does USLAC meet?
A: At 10pm every Monday in PAC 002.
Q: Where on campus do the workers work?
A: Davidson Art Center, Fisk, certain fraternities, theme houses, PAC, Olin, Science Center and Tower, WestCo, Nicolson, Hewitt, CFA, Admissions, South College, North College, Argus, Religion Dept, 42 Lawn Avenue, Senior Housing.
Q: What are Physical Plant workers earning?
A: Physical plant workers earn between $14 and $17/hr and have benefits. They start at 11.62/hr. However, when Physical plant workers have been retiring or leaving, Wesleyan has been replacing them with subcontracted workers. So there are fewer and fewer Physical Plant workers on campus.
Q: Can't Wesleyan just fire Initial and hire a new company? Would the workers lose their jobs?
A: Yes to both questions. However, USLAC has demanded--in its 8 Points for a Responsible Code of Conduct--that if Wesleyan fires Initial, the present workers would have to be rehired at the same or better wages by the new company.
This website maintained by Jordyn
Copyright © 2000, Wesleyan University
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