Rewind & Replay: Watch It Again March 27, 2008

If you’ve seen it, watch it again and consider posting a comment on the YouTube page: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pctMvVHTNAo

If you haven’t seen it, take 5 minutes to be moved, inspired and informed about the Living Wage Campaign!

Either way, PASS IT ON to folks you know: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pctMvVHTNAo

And let folks know they can visit our blog to stay up to date: http://asclivingwagecampaign.wordpress.com/

If you feel moved to write something of your own in support of a living wage at Agnes Scott, send it to us (ascalumsforalivingwage@gmail.com) and we’ll post it to this blog!

Report Back: Alum Speaks at ASC Faculty Meeting March 27, 2008

Hey everyone! I went to the faculty meeting and after Dr. Guthrie gave his presentation I spoke for a few minutes and this is what I had written (I think I may have added a few things here and there):

I have been asked to speak about why as alumnae we have been involved in the Living Wage Campaign at Agnes Scott and frankly I have a hard time understanding why we would not. Really I have difficulty understanding how ANY member of the Agnes Scott Community can remain uninvolved. We alums are all busy with work and some with law school, med school, other graduate studies—-some have started families and have babies. Alums living all around the world are involved in this campaign.

I believe that it is the strong sense of HONOR and virtue instilled upon us as students that drives us in many things we do and caring about the community that helped support us during our time here remains part of that. We find it deplorable that your co-workers —-that is what they are, your co-workers—- must struggle to put food on their tables in spite of having worked and worked hard here at Agnes Scott for 10, 20 and even 40 years.

The school is growing—- with more students and buildings—- we find it unacceptable to know for example that one woman cleans the library, the first floors of Main and Rebekah as well as the Public Safety building, on days when her work buddy is out her work increases. Additionally the work she as a custodian does is classified as unskilled labor; while SHE strips the floors and maintains them MEN who do the walls are classified as skilled workers.

You can read more about this and other concerns of the SEXISM/ RACISM and severe CLASSISM experienced by your co-workers on our blog. Taking second and sometimes third jobs, relying on government programs is not what your co-workers should be forced to do to feed and house themselves and their families. To know that one woman has to rely on her lunch in Evans or at Mollies as her main meal so that she can feed her children a healthy dinner at night while she makes do by heating up pork rinds with ketchup or hot sauce for her dinner—- that’s not right and it violates the honor code to say the least.

In this political season we hear candidates talking about what they will do to help fight poverty in America. Well this is poverty here—- not just in GA and not just in Atlanta or Decatur but poverty at Agnes Scott—- poverty as the RESULT of low wages paid to those responsible for the beauty which makes this campus known. We as alums can no longer contribute to our alma mater in good faith knowing that our college—- a not for profit institution is in some ways no better than corporate monsters like Wal-Mart.

I asked for questions after speaking and informed everyone that the contact emails and blog site were on poster at a back table. I was asked no questions and Helen Cox who is a student offered some information and invited participation. President Kiss then came to the podium and said that Agnes Scott paid higher wages than most of the colleges in the area except Columbia Sem. and that ASC is on about the same level as they are and that ASC was not such a monster as Wal-Mart. She stated that the college had figures that vary slightly from what we have and that this will be a discussion we must continue.

So one thing I think might be interesting is figuring out how much employees of Wal-Mart make.

Also, this evening I got a call from a student asking for a donation to the school. She said that she had heard of the LWC and had friends involved so I encouraged her to get involved as well. I informed her that I could not give to ASC so long as the goals of the LWC continued to go unmet and that I planned to encourage all alumnae to abstain from giving. She said that she could understand but that the students were most important and could make benefit from the money. I asked her to please make a note of my concerns and of our Alumnae group working with students, faculty and staff.

I was polite mind you—- I know this girl is trying to make a little extra cash but I made my point, encouraged her to get involved and also asked about her classes etc. so maybe she’d be a little inclined to pass on the message and all. She said she would still go ahead and send me a package so that in case things changed I could give. Another prepaid envelope!

Leigh

Carmen’s Letter of Support March 27, 2008

Dear President Kiss and Agnes Scott College Board of Trustees,

 

As a proud Agnes Scott Alumna I was appalled, while I was in college and to this day, at the treatment of some of the members of the staff. How can members of the staff positively contribute to our every day lives, as our second family, when they are themselves being treated as second class citizens?

 

Many days during my 4 years at Agnes Scott, my only family consisted of members of the staff and contracted employees. These were the individuals who were there every single day for us, and treated us as part of their families. There was not a day when I could cry, and vent, and laugh to one of the members of the Board of Trustees, per say. When I was in need of encouragement, and a caring individual, these are the individuals to whom I credit my amazing college experience. Anyone can throw money into a building and create a place called “Agnes Scott”, but it is the people who dedicate of themselves, who are there for us on a daily basis, and console our struggles, who make our experience in those four walls a true experience of learning.

I am writing to let you know that I support a living wage at Agnes Scott College.  I support and commend the Agnes Scott College Living Wage Campaign’s efforts to change economic insufficiencies and institutional injustice at Agnes Scott College.

Since 1994, the Agnes Scott College (ASC) Living Wage Campaign (LWC) has been pushing for just wages, a democratized workplace, and institutionalized respect.  ASC has the financial ability to become a collegiate leader in economic justice, through fairly and justly compensating its staff; to truly live honorably as an institution, it must be willing to do so. The staff, students, faculty and alumnae involved in the LWC propose concrete solutions to eradicate current economic exploitation and injustice at ASC.

I stand in solidarity with the ASC LWC and support their complete list of requests made in a letter to the Board of Trustees (10/26/07).  In particular, I support:

1. A just starting/base wage of $14.40, the current living wage for Decatur, GA as of fall 2007 (according to research done by the ASC LWC–this figure should be adjusted for cost of living every few years according to the economy), plus paid healthcare for all ASC staff and all contracted staff.  This includes, but is not limited to, custodial, food services, clerical/faculty services, public safety, and the contracted ValleyCrest landscaping employees.
2. That ASC ensures that Aramark staff has the same pay and benefits as ASC staff.
3. Inclusion of all Staff in all historically student and faculty-centered traditions and events that are integral to ASC’s fundamental purpose and overall history, creating a democratic structure that honors the wisdom and experience of all its members.
   1. End the blatantly crude isolation and “invisibility” of the Staff: for example, not seating uniformed Staff in “designated areas” which creates a culture in which certain members of the community are treated as second class citizens.
   2. Encourage and create spaces for Staff involvement in family and student on-campus events, such as Orientation and Alumnae Weekend.
   3. Begin new traditions of a combined holiday party, where all employees of all pay-grades and rankings celebrate together with faculty and administrators.
4. The provision for all members of the ASC community to have opportunities for personal enrichment. (i.e. Opening up eligibility to take part in degree courses to all interested part-time and full-time employees; ensuring Staff members full notification of all campus events and educational/employment relevant concerns.)

The current “Resolution on Living Wage Policy” put forth by the Board of Trustees (10/26/07) is inadequate, insulting and NOT a living wage.  The LWC demands respect for all people in the ASC community, the necessary redistribution of wealth and new priorities for the campus.

I ask you to join the LWC and support economic justice and equal rights for all members of the ASC community. Please institute a true living wage at ASC today!

Sincerely,

 

Carmen L. Bolívar

ASC LWC Board Resolution PowerPoint Breakdown March 27, 2008

ASC LWC Board Resolution PowerPoint

If I Made a Living Wage… March 27, 2008

This from the fliers for the rally the ASC LWC had in Feb…
If I made a living wage, my bills would be paid on time.

If I made a living wage, I could afford to send my kids on field trips.

If I made a living wage, I would be able to plan a vacation.

If I made a living wage, I wouldn’t have to choose between medicine and gasoline.

If I made a living wage, I could buy Christmas presents for my kids.

If I made a living wage, I could buy a pair of shoes every time they get worn out.

The Agnes Scott College Living Wage Campaign Rally will be on Friday, February 1 from 10-11 AM in front of the Alston student center on ASC’s campus. The address is 141 E. College Ave. Decatur and is right down the street from the Decatur Marta station.

Please contact Helen Cox at hcox@agnesscott.edu or 404-432-5540 for more information.