Most of Georgetown’s staff goes largely unnoticed by the student body. We take for granted that bathrooms are clean, trash is removed and elevators are fixed. However, most students would be appalled to learn that the staff members who ensure the day-to-day function of the University earn a wage that is too low to sustain acceptable living conditions.
Luckily, a handful of students took notice and began a campaign to raise the wages of Georgetown employees. Over two years ago, the Georgetown Solidarity Committee initiated talks with the administration about the labor policy on campus. Committees were formed, research was completed and eventually the administration agreed to raise the wages of Georgetown workers to $8.50 per hour. Now, it must merely be insured that the university lives up to its promise.
On Tuesday, an op-ed written by two GSC members that was published in The Hoya accused the University of ignoring its promise of an increased hourly wage.
“Georgetown itself has within its mission a commitment to social justice and the common good,” the article reads. “The administration must now show that it takes its charge seriously.”
The University responded to the challenge. On Wednesday, the Department of Communications sent a letter from Senior Vice President Spiros Dimolitsas to student publications, explaining how the University has worked to implement higher wages.
“These changes reflect the outcome of many discussions and were agreed upon by students, faculty and staff over the course of the last year. They are in the process of being implemented with each of our contractors,” the letter reads.
The administration’s quick response is evidence that this is a sore spot for the University. Plagued by student protest and worker strikes in the past, it is natural that Georgetown would rush to clarify the wage situation.
Georgetown showed its disapproval for sub-par working conditions when it refused to renew its clothing contract with Lands’ End until the company rectified its labor practices. Partially in response to Georgetown’s boycott, Lands’ End cleaned up its factories. Students should take this as an example of Georgetown’s willingness to change.
This year, the University has seen several examples of the effects of student activism: changes to the sexual assault policy, the creation of a hate-crime reporting web site and now a reinforced commitment to instituting a living wage. Students must continue to monitor these issues and ensure that the University follows through on its commitments.
