Janitors at the University of Miami have been on strike for seven weeks. After huge outpourings of community support and two failed negotiation sessions, President Donna Shalala continues to ignore the workers' plea for justice--a simple request to honor their decision to join the union.  Facing death [and worse, despair], workers went on hunger strike nine days ago. 

Yesterday, seven students joined the hunger strike. Numerous other students are fasting.  Even students at Harvard University, where Shalala hopes to be President, are fasting in support.  To date, three workers have collapsed and been hospitalized, including the near stroke of one of the workers last night. Death is not an option.  Ask your elected representatives to intervene and successfully end this strike!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

There is a strike of the janitorial staff at the University of Miami that has gone on for seven weeks culminating in a worker hunger strike that began on April 4, 2006.

Seven students joined the fasting workers on April 12, day 8 of the workers' strike. Three workers have collapsed and been hospitalized since the strike began including the near stroke of one of the workers on day 8.

The workers are employed by a University of Miami sub-contractor, Unicco, and are simply asking for the right to organize in the most expedient and democratic way possible -- a card check. There have been many labor violations by Unicco , including not only union busting activities but also numerous safety issues including improper training for the use of dangerous chemicals and lack of safety equipment. The workers do not make a living wage per Miami-Dade County standards nor do they have access to affordable health care.

The University of Miami has the ability to resolve this situation quickly and has not done so despite urging by students, faculty, faith leaders, and others from the wider community. Unicco has recognized card checks at many other universities and would do so at the University of Miami if asked by the university.

I urgently ask you to look into this matter at once and to demonstrate your support for the workers by visiting them at their encampment at the corner of Stanford Drive and Ponce de Leon Boulevard and issuing a statement on their behalf.

I urge you to contact both the University of Miami administration and Unicco immediately requesting them to resolve this matter quickly for the sake of both the hunger striking workers and the students.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 13, 2006