The administration confirmed they will restore the summer employment positions as required by the contract. I am drained from the months of fighting for this but it is a relief to see these workers get the stability they deserve. We should keep an eye on next year to ensure they …
April 10, 2020
Final supporters
Over the summer, Gordon Commons remains open feeding the various summer programs that occupy this campus over the summer. This employs a portion of year round dining service employees who wish to remain employed over the summer. These jobs, although still offered this summer, have also faced cutbacks. Job positions have been fragmented into smaller tasks meaning if you want to work all summer you would have to apply for multiple job positions.
The remaining workers who wish to stay are able to apply for grounds jobs to maintain a steady income. Starting 4-5 years ago, the Pilot Program, a program created to ensure summer employment would be provided to those who wished to continue working, was written into the Dining service employees contract. Workers under the pilot program would clean dorms and facilities and help out with other various necessary tasks. Since its creation, administration have cut pilot program jobs every year and this year it has been cut altogether despite it being a stipulation in the contract.
One of the reasons stated for cutting back jobs is the renovation of three dorms over the summer. Since these dorms will be out of use, they will not require cleaning. However, last year two dorms were under renovation and 12 cleaning jobs were still offered to dining service employees.
Without these jobs employees will lose an unexpected three months worth of income. Some workers have started the application for food stamps in anticipation. Many are worried about making rent and now begin the difficult task of trying to secure a temporary job opportunity only 3 months in advance.
What's worse is this information has only been made public because a union representative was invited to a meeting with administrators by another union member. It was here that this representative found out that all summer working opportunities outside of the work provided in the Gordon Commons would be slashed. Had this meeting not occurred or had this member not been present, it is probable that this information would not have been relayed to the workers until April when job positions were listed. This is unacceptable, we cannot be informing our workers with only a months advance notice that the employment opportunities which for the past couple years has been an expectation for many no longer exist. How are workers supposed to find alternative temporary employment in such a short period of time? This was a decision made with workers fundamental well being completely disregarded.
SUMMER 2016: 29 Total Jobs throughout the summer comprised of general helper, grounds worker, janitors and cleaners.
SUMMER 2017: 27 Total jobs throughout the summer comprised of general helper, grounds worker, janitors and cleaners.
SUMMER 2018: 25 Total jobs throughout the summer comprised of general helper, grounds maintenance and intersession workers.
SUMMER 2019: 19 Total Jobs comprised of cleaners and grounds workers.
THIS SUMMER: NO JOBS EXCEPT FOR 8 CLEANING JOBS DURING REUNION (1 week gig)
THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. OUR WORKERS CANNOT BE WORRIED ABOUT AFFORDING FOOD OVER THE SUMMER.
SIGN THIS PETITION TO DEMAND THAT VASSAR FINDS OUR WORKERS JOBS -SLD
Updates
February 29, 2020
Seeing this much support for our workers genuinely catches me off guard. The fatigue is still there but I feel a renewed sense of resolve to keep fighting for their paychecks.
Reached 100 supporters
February 29, 2020
17 Comments
we need to treat everyone in the vassar community with equal respect, especially those, like dining employees, whose daily efforts are less visibly applauded, despite sustaining and nourishing everything we do.
These workers work SO hard during the year, the least they deserve is a steady, predictable income
Its disgraceful that a college with so many resources has employees needing to go on food stamps and struggling to pay rent.
Our kids depend on full time jobs during the summer I am grateful that my daughter has been offered opportunities for full time employment during her four years at Vassar during the summer and even during the short winter break and additionally part time employment during the rest of the year I’m hopeful others will be afforded the same opportunities
Poverty shouldn't exist in our time anyway. But to hear that Vassar, after having staked its brand for decades (if not longer) on social justice, would betray its own employees this way? What a disgrace.
This petition is so important. We need to support these essential members of our Vassar community. Nobody should be without food or housing in this situation, and we need to show support for those at risk.
jfc vassar
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The administration confirmed they will restore the summer employment positions as required by the contract. I am drained from the months of fighting for this but it is a relief to see these workers get the stability they deserve. We should keep an eye on next year to ensure they …
April 10, 2020
Final supporters
Over the summer, Gordon Commons remains open feeding the various summer programs that occupy this campus over the summer. This employs a portion of year round dining service employees who wish to remain employed over the summer. These jobs, although still offered this summer, have also faced cutbacks. Job positions have been fragmented into smaller tasks meaning if you want to work all summer you would have to apply for multiple job positions.
The remaining workers who wish to stay are able to apply for grounds jobs to maintain a steady income. Starting 4-5 years ago, the Pilot Program, a program created to ensure summer employment would be provided to those who wished to continue working, was written into the Dining service employees contract. Workers under the pilot program would clean dorms and facilities and help out with other various necessary tasks. Since its creation, administration have cut pilot program jobs every year and this year it has been cut altogether despite it being a stipulation in the contract.
One of the reasons stated for cutting back jobs is the renovation of three dorms over the summer. Since these dorms will be out of use, they will not require cleaning. However, last year two dorms were under renovation and 12 cleaning jobs were still offered to dining service employees.
Without these jobs employees will lose an unexpected three months worth of income. Some workers have started the application for food stamps in anticipation. Many are worried about making rent and now begin the difficult task of trying to secure a temporary job opportunity only 3 months in advance.
What's worse is this information has only been made public because a union representative was invited to a meeting with administrators by another union member. It was here that this representative found out that all summer working opportunities outside of the work provided in the Gordon Commons would be slashed. Had this meeting not occurred or had this member not been present, it is probable that this information would not have been relayed to the workers until April when job positions were listed. This is unacceptable, we cannot be informing our workers with only a months advance notice that the employment opportunities which for the past couple years has been an expectation for many no longer exist. How are workers supposed to find alternative temporary employment in such a short period of time? This was a decision made with workers fundamental well being completely disregarded.
SUMMER 2016: 29 Total Jobs throughout the summer comprised of general helper, grounds worker, janitors and cleaners.
SUMMER 2017: 27 Total jobs throughout the summer comprised of general helper, grounds worker, janitors and cleaners.
SUMMER 2018: 25 Total jobs throughout the summer comprised of general helper, grounds maintenance and intersession workers.
SUMMER 2019: 19 Total Jobs comprised of cleaners and grounds workers.
THIS SUMMER: NO JOBS EXCEPT FOR 8 CLEANING JOBS DURING REUNION (1 week gig)
THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. OUR WORKERS CANNOT BE WORRIED ABOUT AFFORDING FOOD OVER THE SUMMER.
SIGN THIS PETITION TO DEMAND THAT VASSAR FINDS OUR WORKERS JOBS -SLD
Updates
February 29, 2020
Seeing this much support for our workers genuinely catches me off guard. The fatigue is still there but I feel a renewed sense of resolve to keep fighting for their paychecks.
Reached 100 supporters
February 29, 2020
17 Comments
As an alum, I'm disappointed to see the college continuing to corporatize at the expense of workers' rights. The people who make daily life possible at Vassar deserve fair wages, dependable employment, and a fair contract!
we need to treat everyone in the vassar community with equal respect, especially those, like dining employees, whose daily efforts are less visibly applauded, despite sustaining and nourishing everything we do.
These workers work SO hard during the year, the least they deserve is a steady, predictable income
Its disgraceful that a college with so many resources has employees needing to go on food stamps and struggling to pay rent.
Our kids depend on full time jobs during the summer I am grateful that my daughter has been offered opportunities for full time employment during her four years at Vassar during the summer and even during the short winter break and additionally part time employment during the rest of the year I’m hopeful others will be afforded the same opportunities
Poverty shouldn't exist in our time anyway. But to hear that Vassar, after having staked its brand for decades (if not longer) on social justice, would betray its own employees this way? What a disgrace.
This petition is so important. We need to support these essential members of our Vassar community. Nobody should be without food or housing in this situation, and we need to show support for those at risk.
jfc vassar
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As an alum, I'm disappointed to see the college continuing to corporatize at the expense of workers' rights. The people who make daily life possible at Vassar deserve fair wages, dependable employment, and a fair contract!