Graphic by EJ Chong | Mercury Staff.
As Americans, we
often claim to love democracy while simultaneously not practicing it in one of
the most important parts of our lives — our workplace. In some cases, bosses
can exercise almost autocratic control over our working lives with few checks
on their power. Some on-campus employees know this better than most. Employees
of Chartwells, UTD’s food provider, have accused the company of a number of
heinous worker abuses and are beginning to unionize in response.
The list of Chartwells employee mistreatment allegations is a long one,
including not receiving promised promotions, being given new responsibilities
with no new pay, not being paid for up to six weeks after hire and not being
able to see pay stubs to verify they were properly paid for the hours they
worked. International student workers allege even worse treatment, including
sexual harassment and far lower pay. Additionally, some workers claim they have
no guarantee of employment after breaks and university closures. This is not
how workers on our campus should be treated. Imagine waking up Jan. 14 worrying
about whether UTD has allowed you to continue as a student or not.
For these
reasons and more, Chartwells workers are looking to unionize. The United Food
and Commercial Workers Local 1000 — a Dallas area union — has been working to
help make this happen. Unions present a way to help bring democracy into the
workplace. By voting on issues and collectively bargaining with employers,
unions give employees a voice that they are frequently scared to otherwise
exercise. Historically, union members have fought and — in many cases — died
for rights we’re proud to exercise today, including things such as workplace
safety requirements, the 40-hour work week and the civil rights acts. According
to a 2018 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, union
members earn an average of 26 percent more money and are more likely to have
complaints such as work instability or grievances addressed.
This is especially important for anyone who eats on campus. Many of us
have seen the pictures of moldy food and poorly washed dishes. My freshman
year, the “clear” glasses were often yellow. If “Kitchen Nightmares” has taught
me anything, it’s that food and quality problems are almost always a result of
management punishing employees who point out flaws or expect a semblance of
respect. Want better food? Support the staff who serve you that food.
If you work at all, know your rights. The AFL-CIO Federation of Unions has
an excellent guide to workplace rights available online. Also consider joining
a union to help establish a more democratic workplace — one that protects your
rights. And if you eat on campus, let the Chartwells employees know you support
them and that they deserve a more democratic workplace that doesn’t put profit
over their workers’ and UTD students’ needs.