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Justice For Janitors at Providence College
Contracted Janitors at Providence College are Ready To Strike- against Hurley of America for unfair labor practices.
- Join more than 1,000 Providence College students & faculty in asking PC President Father Shanley, O.P. to weigh in for a living wage for the contracted janitors who clean the College and are an important part of the community.
- Join students and JwJ members at the picket line, beginning Friday 7:00 am at the Huxley Street and Eaton Street Campus gates.
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: You can make a difference.
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
I am contacting you today to urge you to use your respected and influential voice on behalf of Providence College's contracted janitors who work for Hurley of America.
The janitors at Providence College have announced that they are ready to strike against unfair labor practices. They are trying only to provide a better future for their families, to strengthen their community both on campus and at home. They need the support of the Providence College administration to do so.
Thus far, the students and faculty of Providence College have shown their strong support for the campus's janitors. As the campus prepares for Parents' Weekend, many students and faculty are preparing to do all they can do to support the janitors- working parents who play a vital role on campus.
I share with the Providence College students and faculty the belief that the janitors' wellbeing affects the of the entire campus and I share my hope that you will use your tremendous voice and leadership to uphold the sanctity of work, to support the parents who sacrifice so much for their children- parents who have served Providence College and its community for years.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
January 16, 2008
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To Our Beloved Community (staff, students, workers, and parents alike):
As Providence College prepares for Parents’ Weekend, the Hurley workers are also in preparations for an event very unlike those of this weekend—a STRIKE. Jorge Cabrera, an eight-year janitorial worker at PC, and I desire to share how the two events are actually very similar at the core?
On the eve of Parents’ Weekend, a question comes to mind: Where would I be without my parents?
Thankfully, my parents are able to make it up to PC this weekend. I cannot wait to see them. It’s been a few short weeks since I saw them last but, even as I write this letter, my heart pounds a little faster. Where would I be without my parents?
They have given me so much, too much. They are two blessings that I do not deserve. I give thanks to God for them, because they have supported me in everything. From house-league soccer to this weekend, they have shown nothing but love and sacrifice for me, so that I can follow my dreams, so that I can experience the world, so that I may be truly happy. Love and sacrifice. Mom and dad.
The majority of our Hurley workers are parents. And, without question, every Hurley worker knows the meaning of sacrifice. “I want my kids to someday be able to say, ‘I’m a professional, thanks to my father’s hard work.’” Jorge’s eyes don’t seem to tell the story of sacrifice, at least not the story one might expect to find. His coffee-bean eyes and his full-lipped grin could light up Las Vegas.
“Jesus died on the cross for all of us – not for a few, but for all of us. We know from his teachings that he cared about the criminals and the least desirable members of society. And he won: he won us our freedom, including our freedom to stand up for our rights.” Maybe Jorge’s bright spirit does tell the story of love and sacrifice—two necessities that lead to victory, to life, to community.
The Hurley workers’ contract runs out Thursday, January 31st. They have decided to strike against unfair labor practices by Hurley of America. The timing could not be better, and it could not be worse.
A strike for Jorge means that he will not be working today, or tomorrow, or for however long the strike lasts. No work means no pay. No pay means no money. No money means?no rent? no groceries? no heating? no bank savings? no help for his family back in the Dominican Republic? Jorge has to choose which option to take or not take, which need is most immediate, which sacrifice to sacrifice. That’s what a strike means for all of the Hurley workers. But they’ve proved their readiness.
Jorge acknowledges that to bear fruit, the seed must first die in the ground; to see justice realized sacrifice is required. "Every sacrifice is worth rewarding, and every reward is worth sacrificing for.” He is hopeful that the sacrifice of striking will eventually lead to just wages, fair working benefits, peaceful and encouraging working conditions, and community between workers, employers, and students.
And that’s what this weekend is about. Parents’ Weekend, this year at least, is about community; parents showing support, interest, love, and sacrifice for their children. “If I were the parent of a student here, I would be proud to come visit Providence College and see that it was a place where everyone was well taken care of and had what they needed, that it felt like one big family.”
Providence College parents will flock to the campus this weekend and will taste some of what their sacrifice has wrought for their children. Hurley parents will also be on campus, perhaps not yet tasting the fruits of their sacrifice. They will be showing the world how much they love their families, kids, fellow workers, and the Providence College families as well. We’re all one bundle, one community.
That’s what this whole thing has been about: Community. It’s not about protesting, or striking, or sticking it to any man. “?the laborer deserves his wages” (Luke 10:7), families deserve to be recognized, needs must be met, community must be realized.
To our parents and their sacrifices for us—we thank you.
Paz y amor,
Ricardo Arocha, c/o 2008
Jorge Cabrera, 8th year Hurley worker, 2nd shift
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