by DC Jobs with Justice | Nov 28, 2009 | Projects, Student Labor Outreach Project
Cold fall rain did not deter more than 40 students and staff who rallied Nov. 13th at Georgetown University to support campus police officers. Representatives from a variety of student organizations, as well as Georgetown staff, gathered on Red Square to show their support for the Georgetown Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers in their union negotiations. The officers’ union, Allied, has been in negotiations with the university since August; the university has yet to agree to the union’s proposal to bring hourly wages – now about $3 less than other area colleges — on par with other campus police in the metro Washington area. rnrnThe issue was brought to forefront after Georgetown experienced two hate crimes based on sexual orientation. Students involved in the resulting dialogue about campus safety realized that the uncompetitive salary for DPS salary resulted in an understaffed department and a lack of resources for officers. After speeches by representatives of the Georgetown chapter of NAACP, the Latino-American group MEChA, Asian American Students Association, and the labor rights group Georgetown Solidarity Committee, the demonstrators carrying signs saying “Show Us Your Values” and “How Much is Your Safety Worth?” marched to the offices of President DeGioia and Vice President Dimolitsas to deliver petitions with hundreds of signatures from students, professors, and organizations, including the College Democrats and Republicans. rnrn- report/photo by Julia...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Nov 1, 2007 | Projects, Student Labor Outreach Project
Order up: burgers and hot dogs, hold the coke. The George Washington (GW) Progressive Student Union held a cook-out and petition drive Tuesday to demand that GW dump Coca-Cola and switch to local vendors who respect worker and environmental rights. Over 100 students pledged support for the campaign and also agreed to stop purchasing Coca-Cola products. “Overwhelming evidence links the corporation to horrible crimes of murder, kidnapping, and environmental destruction,” said GW sophomore and Progressive Student Union member Nick Savio. “GW should not be rewarding such actions with a lucrative contract.” The campaign is part of a larger nationwide movement that has resulted in 30 schools dropping their contracts with Coca-Cola, including the University of Michigan, Rutgers, Drexel, Smith, and...
by DC Jobs with Justice | Apr 18, 2007 | Projects, Student Labor Outreach Project
Members of George Washington University’s Progressive Student Union hosted a Worker Appreciation Dinner on April 18th to thank the professors, cleaning and maintenance workers, and food service workers who make their education possible. More than 20 workers attended, including members of UNITE HERE Local 25, who provide food service, SEIU Local 32 BJ, who clean buildings and maintain the grounds, and SEIU Local 500, which represents adjunct faculty. While enjoying the pasta dinner together, guests at the dinner discussed how the university’s attempts to cut corners hurt both workers and students, and strategized about how to engage more students in supporting worker campaigns to improve the quality of jobs and service.rn rnPhoto Credit: Jaclyn Lichter, SEIU Local 500rn...
