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Tell the University of Vermont to "Walk the Walk"
The University of Vermont claims to be one of "among the most progressive employers in the nation." (President Daniel Fogel, April 2006, Burlington Free Press) however hundrends of direct and contracted employees make poverty wages and are confronted with anti-union sentement daily.
UVM SLAP has been working with University workers and unions for the past two years to demand that UVM resolve this disconnect between rehotoric and reality and immediatly implement policies of livable wages, freedom to organize, and responsible contractor policies.
Tell President Fogel to truly become a progressive employer and become a real leader in the nation and to "walk the walk"!
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Please Respect Workers at the University of Vermont
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
As part of a community and educational atmosphere that promotes and implements a vision of societal justice, I demand that as the President of the University of Vermont (UVM) you uphold your duty to secure the livelihood of UVM staff and contracted workers. It is your responsibility to honor UVM's commitment to social justice, to "walk the walk" and treat with respect the workers at UVM ?the very foundation of UVM.
By granting all workers, including Sodexho employees, a livable wage of $12.02/hr as a minimum starting position, you will be the representative of a "community that values respect, integrity, innovation, openness, justice, and responsibility and promotes the intellectual capacity to engage in ethical decision making," as our mission statement decrees. As of now, the University of Vermont is denying its workers their families a decent living, and it is soiling your school's reputation. As the pride and glory of Vermont, the University must set the example for societal and economic fairness. UVM must take responsibility for the welfare of its community. And just as the City of Burlington, Vermont has implemented livable wage, so too must our University.
I therefore ask you to immediately execute the fair employment initiatives of the UVM Student Labor Action Project as listed below:
Livable Wages: The University of Vermont will publicly recognize the importance of paying a living-wage to all workers who labor at or on behalf of the University, whether they are directly employed by UVM or by the University's contractors. The University of Vermont shall adopt a livable-wage policy to ensure all of its employees and contracted employees receive a minimum livable wage equal to the hourly rate of pay determined by the state of Vermont's Joint Fiscal Office for a single person in urban Vermont
Freedom to Organize: As an institution founded upon the ideals of democracy and inclusion we call on UVM to agree to move to a strictly neutral position in regards to any organizing campaign. It is integral that all members of the University community are allowed to make their own decisions, free from coercion about whether they want a union.
Responsible Contractor Policies: Be a model employer by adopting Responsible Contractor procurement policies that ensures workers are afforded the necessary training, safety, pay and benefits to support their families, including bona fide apprentice training programs recognized by the U.S. D.O.L./B.A.T.
With the implementation of a livable wage, all clerical, cafeteria, and staff workers at the University of Vermont will be allotted enough resources to live in Burlington. They will be able to get to and from work, and have the proper utilities to ensure a meal on the table every day and night. President Fogel, you can raise the standard of lifestyle for UVM workers families, and you must.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to the commissioning of livable wages on campus by April 7th.
Sincerely,
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