Facilities workers' quandary met with support

By Allison Cole

As students acting in solidarity with the facilities workers, we feel that it is necessary to clarify our position on the labor struggles that are currently taking place on our campus. The facilities management and the university administration are under the impression that those who are standing up for workers' rights do not possess a full understanding of the facts.

This is not the case. à

We understand the short-term financial benefits of contracting to outside companies. Saving money, however, should not come at the cost of basic workers' rights. Santa Clara facilities workers are standing up for themselves and for working people throughout the Silicon Valley. The practice of contracting to outside custodial service providers, such as Diversified Maintenance Services (DMS), systematically undermines the rights, benefits and pay that workers have fought for over the years.à

Joe Sugg, Assistant Vice President for Financial Affairs, asserts that no university employees are being laid off in order to bring in contracted employees. This statement, however, is a selective and misleading representation and explanation of the situation. Facilities workers function as a "bargaining unit," and the custodial section of that unit is being replaced. When a permanent Santa Clara employee vacates a position, that worker is replaced with a contracted worker. If this practice continues, there will soon be no permanent custodial workers left, and thus the strong benefits and job security that workers have fought for over the years will be lost.

The replacement workers from DMS are paid less, do not enjoy equivalent health and dental benefits and do not have the same bargaining power.

Furthermore, the contracted laborers are unable to send their children to Santa Clara free of charge, a benefit earned by the current permanent workers. This benefit is worth defending as it has allowed many individuals to be the first in their families to attend a four-year university. à

In the most recent edition of the Santa Clara Magazine, Fr. Locatelli stated, "Since its founding in 1851, Santa Clara has educated students who were the first members of their family to attend college. That commitment continues today because all of us at Santa Clara know that such an education is important to these students, their families, and society." We agree with the sentiments expressed by Locatelli and sincerely hope that our university will bridge the gap between its rhetoric and its action. Santa Clara University ought not deny the children of custodial workers the opportunity for a Santa Clara education. àà

This university is joining the other "corporate leaders" of the valley in replacing family-wage jobs with sub-standard employment by contracting out custodial services. The practice is only possible through the purposeful exploitation of the working-class, primarily immigrant, populations of the valley. This anti-union and anti-worker behavior of Santa Clara facilities management is not in line with the Jesuit values Santa Clara so proudly proclaims.

àIf we're going to set a standard of human dignity, we must live up to it.

The present state of the economy is not a justifiable excuse to strip workers of their rights and benefits. The first people to suffer during a recession are working people and their families.àSanta Clara facilities management need not add to their burden by undermining their positions on this campus.àThe position that management has taken is directly opposed to the progress of working people and the Jesuit values of the university. à

In a statement released by Locatelli on Friday, June 2, 2000 he called for labor justice in the Silicon Valley. He announced Santa Clara University's role as a concerned leader for workers' rights when he said, "Even when it is difficult and complex, achieving a resolution is especially important to employers like Santa Clara University that promote justice as both an ideal and a responsibility. Justice cannot be defined merely as advancing one's personal interest; justice must advance the well-being of our entire community, especially taking into special consideration the poorest members of our community." à

High standards for Santa Clara University as an employer can contribute to the advancement of justice for our entire community.àOutsourcing in order to cut costs is contrary to the ideals of this institution, as expressed by its President.

Sugg insists, "Santa Clara is committed to treating all its workers (subcontractors included) with dignity and respect and has lived up to that commitment."àWorkers, however, vocally disagree and have frequently communicated their concerns to students. Custodial and maintenance workers have already braved management reprisals and spoken out at two rallies, while making clear their intention to continue to stand up for worker rights.à

At the rally held last Friday, several workers were brought to tears as they tried to express both their anxieties about the future of their jobs and their gratitude to the students who support them. The people who keep this campus clean, safe and beautiful are asking our support. We, as concerned and informed students, ought to abide by their request.

û Allison Cole is a member of SCCAP's Labor Action Committee.