Letter to the Editor
President Randy Helm
Issue date: 3/4/10 Section: Op/Ed
To The Weekly:
Contained somewhere in the middle of Alex Breiding's recent column ("Students for Workers' Rights" Feb. 25), are principles with which I hope we all can agree: all workers "have a right to respect and dignity at work, fair wages, affordable healthcare, and the ability to organize and bargain collectively in order to secure these rights." Of course, people of integrity and good will often disagree about the definitions of several of these terms (our nation, for example, is deeply divided on the concept of "affordable healthcare").
While applauding the author's commitment to social justice, I cannot agree with his arguments, conclusions, or tactics. Communication among management, employees, and union organizers related to collective bargaining is governed by federal law designed to protect the rights of all parties. SEIU (and other unions) have ample opportunities to make their case to Sodexo workers. Furthermore, Sodexo employees are responsible adults with jobs and responsibilities who are capable of evaluating information and making decisions in their best interest and who have a right to privacy. Inviting workers to a "Worker Appreciation Party" that is actually "aimed to create a safe space free of managerial powers to have a friendly discourse on the challenges and rewards of working for Sodexo at the College" is disrespectful of workers' freedom to make an informed choice as to when, where, and with whom they wish to engage in such conversations. It is also worth noting that the author's efforts are part of a broader effort mounted by a particular union throughout the Lehigh Valley (indeed, much of the prose is similar to material published in Lehigh University's newspaper). The reactions of some Sodexo employees to SEIU's efforts at Lehigh University can be found in the comments thread at: http://media.www.thebrownandwhite.com/media/storage/paper1233/news/2010/02/19/Opinion/Letter.Respect.To.Our.Dining.Services-3874476.shtml?refsource=collegeheadlines.
Finally, I am deeply disturbed by the author's admission that "students of the collective action have stood by and watched as fellow students ridiculed workers behind their backs, devalued the workers' dedication to the College community, and created a climate of hierarchy and insolence." Ridicule and rudeness have no place on our campus, and it is the responsibility of each of us to confront such behavior when we encounter it. I encourage all members of the campus community to review the College's statement of fundamental institutional values at: http://www.muhlenberg.edu/committees/strategicplanning/Planning%20Documents.pdf and to demonstrate courtesy and respect to all members of our community.
Cordially,
Randy Helm
College President
Contained somewhere in the middle of Alex Breiding's recent column ("Students for Workers' Rights" Feb. 25), are principles with which I hope we all can agree: all workers "have a right to respect and dignity at work, fair wages, affordable healthcare, and the ability to organize and bargain collectively in order to secure these rights." Of course, people of integrity and good will often disagree about the definitions of several of these terms (our nation, for example, is deeply divided on the concept of "affordable healthcare").
While applauding the author's commitment to social justice, I cannot agree with his arguments, conclusions, or tactics. Communication among management, employees, and union organizers related to collective bargaining is governed by federal law designed to protect the rights of all parties. SEIU (and other unions) have ample opportunities to make their case to Sodexo workers. Furthermore, Sodexo employees are responsible adults with jobs and responsibilities who are capable of evaluating information and making decisions in their best interest and who have a right to privacy. Inviting workers to a "Worker Appreciation Party" that is actually "aimed to create a safe space free of managerial powers to have a friendly discourse on the challenges and rewards of working for Sodexo at the College" is disrespectful of workers' freedom to make an informed choice as to when, where, and with whom they wish to engage in such conversations. It is also worth noting that the author's efforts are part of a broader effort mounted by a particular union throughout the Lehigh Valley (indeed, much of the prose is similar to material published in Lehigh University's newspaper). The reactions of some Sodexo employees to SEIU's efforts at Lehigh University can be found in the comments thread at: http://media.www.thebrownandwhite.com/media/storage/paper1233/news/2010/02/19/Opinion/Letter.Respect.To.Our.Dining.Services-3874476.shtml?refsource=collegeheadlines.
Finally, I am deeply disturbed by the author's admission that "students of the collective action have stood by and watched as fellow students ridiculed workers behind their backs, devalued the workers' dedication to the College community, and created a climate of hierarchy and insolence." Ridicule and rudeness have no place on our campus, and it is the responsibility of each of us to confront such behavior when we encounter it. I encourage all members of the campus community to review the College's statement of fundamental institutional values at: http://www.muhlenberg.edu/committees/strategicplanning/Planning%20Documents.pdf and to demonstrate courtesy and respect to all members of our community.
Cordially,
Randy Helm
College President