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OPINION & EDITORIAL

Workin’ hard for the money?

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Also by Badger Herald Editorial Board:

A security fee-for-all (December 11, 2007)
Farewell, Chancellor (December 10, 2007)
$$FC (December 6, 2007)
In a bind (December 5, 2007)
Entitlement Town (December 4, 2007)

by Badger Herald Editorial Board

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

The Living Wage Initiative, supported by the UW Student Labor Action Coalition (SLAC), is another referendum this board opposes, and we urge students to vote against it. If it passes, this initiative would mandate that all student employees who work at the Wisconsin Union, University Health Services, Recreational Sports and other campus locations earn a living wage of $10.23 per hour.

Such a drastic increase in earnings is both unnecessary and disproportionate to the pay of other student jobs on campus and around Madison. It also does not correspond to the often mindless tasks these positions entail. Additionally, it is inappropriate to increase already bloated segregated fees to support a raise for student employees.

The city of Madison living wage figure is not calculated with a student in mind, but rather a family of four; paying students $10.23 an hour at this point in their lives seems inappropriate considering the nature of their employment.

Furthermore, jobs such as refilling printer paper at college libraries and passing out parking permits at UHS surely do not deserve such a high income. Many student employees themselves have voiced dissent to the referendum, admitting that the tasks they are responsible for are not worthy of such exorbitant pay.

Although we agree with Chancellor John Wiley's Oct. 3 decision to approve a Limited Term Employee policy that converted the majority of temporary positions into full-time employment (and therefore guaranteed these workers a living wage), the thought of requiring student workers earn this wage is preposterous.

With tuition hikes on the horizon, and students paying hundreds from their own already drained wallets for textbooks and other expenses, increasing segregated fees to pay students over ten dollars an hour is outlandish.

As you cast your ballots for the latest debacle from SLAC, keep your money on your mind and vote "No."

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Anonymous (October 18, 2006 @ 8:36am):

"With tuition hikes on the horizon, and students paying hundreds from their own already drained wallets..."

Why do you think they want to increase your minimum wage? Like tuition is going to decrease if they don't drop this wage hike; do you guys think before you write?

While you're at it, editorial board, tell all the college students why they should give corporations and the ultra-wealthy more tax breaks.

Students, make sure you vote against your own interests; you'll make terrific future Republicans.

Anonymous (October 18, 2006 @ 9:17am):

Paying wages based on need rather than value is ridiculous.

From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.
Karl Marx

Results in rational people hiding their abilities and making a big list of their needs.

Anonymous (October 18, 2006 @ 11:51am):

"Students, make sure you vote against your own interests; you'll make terrific future Republicans."

I love how everyone turns everything into Republican bashing, those damn devils. Maybe if we got rid of them all, we could all live in peace and harmony and all my problems would go away...

This referendum, just like the union referendum, is NOT in the students interests at all. It is, however, in the interest of a very select group of students who apparently feel everything should be handed to them on a silver platter. If stupid referenda like this keep passing, maybe I'll drop out of college and get a job scooping ice cream. Good job Badger Herald for taking a practical stance on these issues!

Anonymous (October 18, 2006 @ 11:54am):

"Results in rational people hiding their abilities and making a big list of their needs." Yeah, if we were communists.

As long as there's more money to be made in this capitalist country, someone's going to strive to collect it. If you're upset with $10/hr because it's SO MUCH money, you really haven't had a lot of experience with the real world.

Anonymous (October 18, 2006 @ 12:10pm):

Calling the Ed Board "Republicans" because their opinion makes sense doesn't make Democrats/the left look all that great.

Anonymous (October 18, 2006 @ 12:49pm):

Seriously, how do you think your problems would go away by getting rid of liberals? If it weren't liberals, you would probably have a beef with moderate New England Republicans or the so-called Log Cabin Republicans.

There is nothing in this world that would make you happier than to not pay taxes, and, sadly, that will never happen.

Moreover, it's strange to me that Republicans still demand tax cuts during war time and in the same breath call themselves patriotic. Not even a war you support deserves your financial contribution; thanks for supporting the troops, jerk.

Anonymous (October 18, 2006 @ 1:22pm):

Hello?!?! How is this meddling referenda in line with capitalism? And $10.23 is "SO MUCH money" for unskilled labor. It sounds to me that YOU have no experience in the real world.

Anonymous (October 18, 2006 @ 3:12pm):

"If you're upset with $10/hr because it's SO MUCH money, you really haven't had a lot of experience with the real world."

And if you can't see a problem with paying people more than they are worth then you have had NO experience with the real world.

Anonymous (October 18, 2006 @ 3:28pm):

Besides the fact that there's no reason not to pay students enough to live on, a lower wage would allow the administration to renege on their living wage policy by switching completely to students for custodial and food service jobs, instead of paying people with families a living wage.

Anonymous (October 18, 2006 @ 5:41pm):

Yeah, great idea. Student have trouble affording college so let's raise their seg fees so a few of them can better afford it while the rest have an even more difficult time paying for it. Stupid, stupid, stupid!