update on Solidarity with Custodial and Technical Staff

WU-AAUP representatives met on 24 July with WU Council of Chairs representatives, who had previously met with administrators as detailed in the Faculty President's email of 19 July.   In addition to the information there, we learned that the discussion of principles and values began in October 2016, that it resulted in the decision not to outsource facilities work, that the decision to move to late shifts was communicated to housekeeping staff on 13 June, that they were asked to decide by 30 June whether to change shifts or accept a severance package, and that the shift differential is 50 cents/hour.  This informational conversation is continuing. 

All faculty present agreed that we would like to see workers empowered to speak for themselves and to act on their own behalf, if this is what they want (there is every reason to think it is).  
 
Willamette's AAUP Advocacy Chapter regrets the departure of many of our fellow workers, and the difficult scheduling faced by others. We affirm the right of all employees to participate freely in decisions directly affecting their livelihoods and wellbeing, where this will mean a permanent consultative structure with assurances of complete independence between their continued employment and participation in administrative decision-making.