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Living wage necessary for Univ. workers
Issue date: 2/28/08 Section: Opinions
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The reason I feel so positive about the University these days is because of the overwhelming support the student body and the Athens community are showing for the working class. This support is reflected by the scores of people handing out leaflets and posting flyers, the hundreds who already have signed the petition for a living wage and the huge turnout I expect we'll see at today's living wage rally.
The University council also demonstrated its full support for a living wage last year when it unanimously approved recommendations to bring a living wage to the University.
These recommendations were studied for more than a year and presented to University President Michael Adams in the form of a 40-page document entitled the Ad Hoc Committee Report for the Pay and Benefits of Low Wage Employees.
The measures called for in the report could be implemented at a cost that is less than one percent of the University's overall budget.
Unfortunately, the far-reaching support of the students, the community and the University council for a living wage does not appear to be shared by the administration. Adams has failed to implement any of the reasonable measures called for in this exhaustively researched, entirely feasible plan.
Adams' refusal seems callous considering how prevalent poverty is in Athens and among the workers at the University. Athens ranks third in the nation in poverty, according to data from the U.S. census bureau.
Many of the workers here remain relegated to part-time status despite having worked the same job for years, and, therefore, are ineligible for some of the raises and benefits the University offers. An all too common occurrence among these workers is having to work a second or even a third job just to make ends meet and support a family.
Despite being underpaid and undervalued, the working people of Athens are some of the hardest-working, friendliest and most professional people I've ever met.
Without these workers, the University, not to mention the entire community, would come to a screeching halt. The least we can do is pay them what they're worth.
This situation has justifiably provoked a public outcry - the extent of which will be on full display today at 2 p.m. in Tate plaza. Supporters of a living wage will gather to demonstrate the strength and solidarity of the living wage movement, give speeches and raise awareness.
I urge everyone - students, staff, faculty and members of the community - to come hear what the people have to say. You don't have to carry a sign or make a lot of noise (although I imagine my friends and I will be doing these things) to show you care about the workers who make everything we do at the University possible.
- Daniel Payne is a senior from Washington D.C. majoring in international affairs.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 33
Simple Economics
posted 2/28/08 @ 4:01 PM EST
Ok, I have kinda been following this today, and seeing all these chalk marks on the streets and I have finally decided to express my opinion.
First of all, let me say, of course I wish everything can be equal pay, and the employees make pleanty of money and everything be "fair". (Continued…)
Andrew Shell
posted 2/28/08 @ 5:25 PM EST
All right, I'm getting tired of this living wage nonsense. A living wage is basically a PC term for a raise given to workers simply for existing, more or less. (Continued…)
matt brandenburgh
posted 2/28/08 @ 10:21 PM EST
I am an ardent capitalist/free market believer, and I'm consequently completely opposed to most if not all governmental interventions in the economy, such as minimum wage. (Continued…)
Kirk Carter
posted 2/29/08 @ 1:29 AM EST
Yes, it would take less than 1 percent of the University's budget to pay for this... however that 1% is 10 million dollars. The Georgia State Legislature (who, along with the Board of Regents approves budget increases) just shot down Sonny Perdue's proposed expansion of the education budget which was less than 2 million dollars. (Continued…)
Patrick
posted 2/29/08 @ 8:50 AM EST
"The least we can do is pay them what they're worth. "
This is the most rediculous argument I have ever heard. If they are making $5.15/hr but are "worth" $10/hr then they would go somewhere else and clean toilets for $10. (Continued…)
Patrick
posted 2/29/08 @ 8:54 AM EST
1 more thing Heather,
"living wage is not a a raise given to workers simply for existing. It is a wage that allows them to not have to work two or three jobs just "to get by". (Continued…)
Caryn
posted 2/29/08 @ 9:26 AM EST
I think its disgusting that students whose parents foot the bill for their extravagant living while they're in college, think they are knowledgable enough about the world to comment on whether or not 5. (Continued…)
Natalie Blackburn
posted 2/29/08 @ 4:16 PM EST
The idea that people choose to be janitors or food service workers is pure folly. Yes, people make poor choices in their lives. But most if not all try and make the best ones. (Continued…)
mick
posted 3/01/08 @ 2:11 PM EST
I'm having a hard time in one of my classes. Really, I'm barely squeaking by. Mostly this is because I went to a poor school in rural south Georgia where teachers were busy attending to the needs of hundreds of future janitors rather than my needs in subjects I study here. (Continued…)
Keno!
posted 3/01/08 @ 6:34 PM EST
Thankfully, a lot of the poor people are buying lottery tickets so we can get money from the HOPE scholarship. Everytime I see a shoeless momma with a kid stuck to her hip while ringing up a pack of smokes and "three of them scratch-offs and a Cash 4", it just warms my heart. (Continued…)
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