2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
CLAP clarifies its position
Letter to the Editor
Issue date: 2/6/07 Section: Viewpoint
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Editor's Note: This column, written by Campus Labor Action Project organizers, is a response to several recent Viewpoint submissions. The Observer does not endorse CLAP, or any other organization. All viewpoints are welcome.
Due to our recent absence from the public eye, we, the members of the Campus Labor Action Project (CLAP), would like to clear the air on who we are and what we are doing. CLAP is a coalition of staff, faculty, community members, and students who seek to resolve a number of labor issues here at Notre Dame. Although we do support increased wages, we are not simply a living wage campaign. Far too many pressing concerns exist among University employees to limit ourselves to just that one issue.
The reason for our relative quietude last semester was that we recognized flaws in our past actions. Although well-intentioned, certain public actions were overly antagonistic and ultimately destructive rather than constructive. More importantly, we lacked the close relationships with campus employees that could bring legitimacy to our organization and its mission.
Last semester we concentrated on developing stronger ties with campus workers. These relationships now provide a solid foundation for our organization. Although we have acquainted ourselves with staff from various departments, our closest relationships are with Building Services and Food Services employees. These are the people who clean our dorms, classrooms, and offices, and prepare and serve our food whether in the dining halls, in LaFortune, or at one of the various cafés on campus.
In conversations with these workers, a number of issues came to our attention. First and foremost, the primary issue is respect. Workers tell us that they enjoy being around the students, faculty, and each other, and often happily note how appreciative we are of their work. However, they feel that their employer, the University and its administration, cares little about them and does not value their hard work.
Due to our recent absence from the public eye, we, the members of the Campus Labor Action Project (CLAP), would like to clear the air on who we are and what we are doing. CLAP is a coalition of staff, faculty, community members, and students who seek to resolve a number of labor issues here at Notre Dame. Although we do support increased wages, we are not simply a living wage campaign. Far too many pressing concerns exist among University employees to limit ourselves to just that one issue.
The reason for our relative quietude last semester was that we recognized flaws in our past actions. Although well-intentioned, certain public actions were overly antagonistic and ultimately destructive rather than constructive. More importantly, we lacked the close relationships with campus employees that could bring legitimacy to our organization and its mission.
Last semester we concentrated on developing stronger ties with campus workers. These relationships now provide a solid foundation for our organization. Although we have acquainted ourselves with staff from various departments, our closest relationships are with Building Services and Food Services employees. These are the people who clean our dorms, classrooms, and offices, and prepare and serve our food whether in the dining halls, in LaFortune, or at one of the various cafés on campus.
In conversations with these workers, a number of issues came to our attention. First and foremost, the primary issue is respect. Workers tell us that they enjoy being around the students, faculty, and each other, and often happily note how appreciative we are of their work. However, they feel that their employer, the University and its administration, cares little about them and does not value their hard work.