all
updates from LWAC | more
on the campaign at UVM
Hot Campaign Plans Heat Up Cold
Vermont Days!
February 21, 2006
From February 16-18, Carl, Pedro, and I headed up to
the University of Vermont for three days of workshops,
planning, fun, and lots of hot drinks. UVM's Student
Labor Action Project launched a "Livable Wages"
campaign last fall, focusing mainly on foodservice workers
on their campus that are contracted by Sodexho, but
are demanding a living wage for all workers on their
campus. A living wage policy has already been adopted
by the city of Burlington, and it's about time that
the university catch up! SLAP is also working closely
with the Vermont
Workers Center, and the Vermont
Livable Wage Campaign. Students have already presented
their list of demands
to UVM President Fogel, and are publicly awaiting an
answer by April 7 as to whether the university will
adopt a living wage policy and ensure the freedom to
organize on UVM's campus.
After a warm welcome Thursday night, a group of about
15 UVM students and I watched the Georgetown hunger
strike documentary
and then had a discussion, with lots of enthusiastic
participation from all the folks there. After that (and
the arrival of Pedro and Carl), UVM SLAP students spent
the next two days creating a concrete strategy for this
semester. They are very excited to strengthen relationships
with workers, and continue to build on the intense pressure
that began last semester, when over 300 students rallied
outside of UVM board meeting in zero degree weather
as nearly 100 invaded the meeting inside. If that's
not commitment, I don't know what is!
This campaign is definitely moving quickly - stayed
tuned for more exciting news on UVM's campaign this
Spring!
In solidarity,
Brie
brie(at)livingwageaction.org
|