SEIU Local 200U

home | action center

MEET AND GREET @ SKIDMORE COLLEGE

Over 100 members of the Skidmore College community gathered in Case Center on March 10, 2004 to hear directly from SEIU Local 200United members on campus as to the impact of the College's recent elimination of 10% of Union positions, how that has eroded (and will continue to) the quality of work that has for so long been a trademark of the SEIU membership, and the ramifications of the College's "corporate mentality" that has SEIU members referring to students, faculty and staff as "customers," rather than building and maintaining these relationships that have for years made the College stronger.

Kevin Lloyd, Chapter Chair, kicked off the meeting by introducing to the audience several SEIU members who have worked at the College for over 20 years. These individuals have given so much of themselves over the years, finding the work rewarding and the relationships they have built with members of the campus community "priceless."

Robert Coleman, kitchen worker, spoke about how the quality of goods have declined as a result of the College being more focused on the "bottom line" as opposed to the needs of members of the campus community. He cited how the menu options for students have been severely downscaled over the years to save the College money, noting that the College is fully aware that students today have no idea what was being served five (5) or ten (10) years ago.

Joanne Dugan, Recording Secretary, had those in attendance enraged at the fact that some full-time Union workers are eligible for food stamps. She cited her struggles as a single mother supporting her son on her present wages and called on her co-workers to stand together alongside members of the campus community to help better this situation.

Students in attendance asked what they could do to support SEIU members in their quest for a fair and equitable contract and help make it possible for them to more ably provide for themselves and their families. Faculty members raised the point that every worker is under attack on campus, what with the College requiring greater employee contributions for health insurance and scaling back the level of contribution towards employee retirement plans. As a result, faculty members are seeking to form a working group that allows them to more effectively aid the Union workers contract campaign. Everyone in attendance questioned the elimination of Union jobs considering the sound financial health of the College as illustrated by the December '03 FPPC study.

To learn more about the Campaign for Action, Respect, and Equality (C.A.R.E.), log on to www.skidmorestudentscare.org or contact Richard Drucker at rich@skidmorestudentscare.org.