Mary Jeka's letter in yesterday's Daily ("The administration responds") signifies the first administrative acknowledgement of the Student Labor Action Movement (SLAM) and the current custodial crisis. While we welcome a discussion about this pressing issue, I am appalled by the falsities present in Ms. Jeka's letter. The administration has still failed to take responsibility for its workers, and instead has tried to shift the blame onto OneSource. Ms. Jeka's claim that Tufts is "not a party" to the ongoing negotiations between OneSource and SEIU Local 615, the union representing the janitors, is simply wrong.
While Tufts officials are not physically present at these meetings, OneSource representatives are in constant contact with the University. Chris Fallon, head of the OneSource negotiations team, has made it clear on several occasions that OneSource's proposals are contingent upon the parameters set by the university. Dan Nicolai, SEIU negotiations leader, said that, last Friday, Fallon told all parties at the negotiations that he was "going to go get on the phone with Tufts."
To Ms. Jeka's claim that it's "puzzling" that we find the wages and benefits of our janitors unacceptable and embarrassing given the positive reaction to collective bargaining in 2001, I can only highlight the continued pathetic working conditions for the custodians. While strides were made three years ago, the inherent problem still exists: Tufts' custodians still are treated unfairly. They earn far less per hour as compared to peer universities, and are paid the same wage as in 1994, with no adjustment for inflation.
The current conflict is about priorities. Tufts' Vision Statement claims: "As an institution, we are committed to improving the human condition." Rather than embody its ideals, however, the administration has chosen to save money and exploit its workers. It fails to provide its custodians with a living wage or even sick days. Only half of Tufts custodians receive health coverage. As students we are in an extraordinarily strong position to convince the administration to live up to its public image. Please support those who keep your dorms and classrooms clean.
Mickey Leibner
LA '07
