In print | Published April 20, 2006

To the Editor:

“True wisdom is less presuming than folly” — Author Unknown.

Recent articles and letters to The Phoenix have raised two issues: whether EVS staff members are properly informed about union activity on campus and whether student participation in the campaign for workers’ rights is appropriate. Therefore, it is necessary that I, as an EVS employee and class unionist, share information that will reveal a well orchestrated plan to cause disarray and confusion in order to destroy the process of card-check neutrality that is supported and protected by the National Labor Relations Act and the Civil Rights Act 1964.

During my employment at Swarthmore College, students have played an important role in the fight against inequality in the workplace. Students across the country have been allies in supporting workers for living wages, for anti-sweatshop practices and for unions. Students are the champions and vanguards of the democratic process. The integrity and credibility of our students’ character is not on the line for ill scrutiny, but should be admired, and imitated in their actions and works. They should be honored and held in high esteem for their courage to stand up against injustice and inequality.

Why would employees of Dining and EVS become upset with students? Who made it possible for a significant number of dining hall staff and EVS to get a little bit more in our paycheck last July with the institution of the living wage? Surely, dining hall staff and EVS respect and recognize students as their greatest support here on campus. It would be mean and unjust to think otherwise regarding the students, and so we give honor where honor is due.

When workers met with the president on March 23, the intention of that meeting was unclear to some who attended. Some thought it was to be a discussion concerning the union. The anti-union meeting was communicated and announced unprofessionally and in secrecy by way of supervisors and crew leaders, who failed to demonstrate the usual practice of calling staff meetings. Some spoke against forming a union, but did they specifically state that they did not want card-check neutrality? Should their presence at that meeting infer that they preferred card-check neutrality to a NLB election? Yet, that seems to be what the president used as his excuse to veto card check neutrality. Do EVS workers understand card-check neutrality?

Unions have made so many human rights gains, which all of us still benefit from today, such as the 5-day week, 8-hour day, workplace health and safety laws. It is difficult to understand why people would quickly move against unionization. Is there another way in which we as employees can collectively advocate for fair working conditions, higher wages and grievance negotiations? While I recognize that there is no direct decision-making voice for those not in the administration, a union would at least be one way in which those with the least amount of decision-making power would have input into working conditions and wages. While there may be those who do not support the union, those who want to move forward must have opportunities for discussion. Card-check neutrality is only a step, and those advocating for a union will continue to work toward inviting all who want more information into the discussion. Unfortunately, union documents have been removed from our bulletin boards, and my EVS colleagues never received letters that went through college mail. In my experience, colleagues are frightened to speak up.

Worker organizing is a basic human right that allows us to come together to have our voices heard in order to create a fair and just workplace. Right now there is no venue for that effort. The Staff Advisory Council bylaws prohibit discussion of wages and other employment concerns. When workers unionize to advocate for family-supportive wages, healthcare and respect on the job, the entire Swarthmore community will benefit by this model of worker voice and participation.

Hamza Wali
EVS Technician

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