From the time that we were prospective students, we have heard about the University’s commitment to public service, social responsibility and community. However, the University falls short of its own sanctimonious spin far too often, especially when dealing with University employees.
On Sept. 30, 2007 AU agreed to recognize and negotiate with the shuttle bus drivers’ union. This came after a long, drawn-out battle with the University in which union supporters’ jobs were threatened and AU administrators tried to sabotage a union election.
Today, three years later, nothing has changed. The shuttle bus drivers’ union is the only union on campus, and the administration seems determined to break it. The University fights the union tooth and nail and the shuttle drivers continue to feel exploited, abused and discriminated against. Shuttle drivers were not given the same 3.5 percent raise that other University employees were, disciplinary policies are kept secret, shuttle drivers are fired without warning or justification, union leaders are intimidated, and AU refuses to cooperate or compromise with the shuttle drivers.
The shuttle bus drivers have two simple demands: two 15-minute breaks for every eight and a half hour shift and access to the disciplinary procedures that apply to them. These are the same rights that all other University employees currently have. Are these demands unreasonable? No. Is it wrong to ask for the same treatment that all other University workers? No. Are the shuttle drivers a part of the so-called “AU Community”? Yes.
It is time that AU live up to its own image and pay more than lip service to “community” and “social responsibility.” It is time for AU to stop discriminating against the shuttle drivers and their union and to start treating all of its hard working employees with the respect that they deserve.
Ethan Miller is a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences.
The Author is a member of AU Solidarity, which meets Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in the CASJ office in the basement of Kay Spiritual Life Center.
edpage@theeagleonline.com
