News
UW custodial workers picket
Looking for a print version?
Simply use your browser’s ‘Print’ command and a printer-friendly document will be generated automatically.
Also by Elizabeth Mathie:
- Freezing for a cause on Bascom Hill (December 4, 2008)
- Martin to tackle economic challenges (December 2, 2008)
- UWPD stresses safety on mopeds (November 25, 2008)
- Chancellor invests in partnership with union leaders (November 20, 2008)
- Research marks anniversary (November 19, 2008)
Sharing tools:
E-mail this article:
It was pouring rain, but that didn’t stop University of Wisconsin custodians from showing up to picket Tuesday afternoon.
The wet but enthusiastic workers gathered to protest changes made by management, particularly a schedule change that mandates second shift custodians in university buildings work from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., rather than the 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. shift they have worked for nearly 30 years.
President of the Custodial Union Randy Brink explained why the group finds the second shift schedule change unacceptable.
“For most people, it seems like a small shift, but if you have to get up in the morning and take your kids to school, and if you’re working a second job, it’s a big deal,” Brink said. “You can imagine how much sleep that leaves you.”
The effects of the schedule change are widespread, but many of those affected were not allowed to take part in the decision, said Al Schueller, executive board officer for the Custodial Union.
“It’s disrupting approximately 200 custodians’ lives,” Schueller said. “Management … we feel [made] an arbitrary decision in implementing this schedule change.”
Besides “arbitrarily imposing” the schedule adjustments, Brink said he was disappointed with the lackluster response the union has received from the university since workers complaints began.
“We just want a little bit of respect for our custodians and their families and what they have to deal with working the hours that they work,” Brink said.
Associate Vice Chancellor of Facilities Planning and Management Alan Fish defended the schedule change.
“We felt that it could really improve our productivity,” Fish said. “There’s more access to offices and classrooms after 6. It’s also a little easier for [the workers] to get in and park.”
Fish added that the situation is still developing, and that UW plans to meet with the custodial union again to take discussions “up to a higher level.”
“We’re giving it our best shot to try and hear their concerns, so they can hear our plans and concerns and see if we can find some middle ground that makes sense for all of us,” Fish said.
Brink called on Chancellor Biddy Martin to take action to help the most “diverse” unit on campus, 31 percent of whom are women and 60 percent of whom are people of color.
5 Comments | Leave a comment
Leave a comment
Herald Blogs
The Beat Goes On
Brother Ali makes an ‘Exclusive’ stop
Muckrakers
Report: Barrett to make decision by the end of the week
Extra Points
Top Classified Ads (view all)
HOUSES FOR Fall 2010. All houses are on W Dayton or N Bassett. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 bedrooms. All have parking. madisoncampusrentals.com
And I bet the UW is making the student janitors pick up all the slack. Thank goodness I quit that job. The UW management has been making things worse for the janitorial staff for a few years now. I’m surprised it took this long for some kind of reaction from the full-time staff.
support the custodians!
What are the quotes around “diverse” supposed to mean? Could have left those out, as it is an appropriate term for the make up of the department.
Support the people who make this University run! Change the schedules back to 5 pm to 1 am.
OMG - they have to start work a whole hour later?
Fire there arses, they’ll be 10 applicants for every opening.