Last Thursday, the Voice’s blog, Vox Populi published an article on a lunchtime protest held by Georgetown food service workers with facilitation assistance by Georgetown Solidarity Committee. While the inspiring demonstration in Leo O’Donovan’s Dining Hall lasted about two minutes, what followed in many of the comments below the piece amounted to nothing more than a despicable display of ill-informed, amateur economics, elitism, and disregard for the interests of the working class that this campus should be looking to leave behind.
This is not to say that the comments were overwhelmingly negative, but some were offensive enough to merit a response. A user going by “Johhny” said that “This was beyond annoying. I was stuck waiting 20 minutes for food in line.” “Steve” claimed increased labor costs would be passed down to Georgetown students, saying “the meal plans are only going to get more expensive because of this, pricing out a majority of students.”
Others lacked the tact of even attempting to make a real argument. “Winning” said “Leos workers are unmotivated, slow, rude, and cranky. Nothing will change even if they get higher wages.” “…cram it up your cramhole hippies” is what “#Steaming” thought was worth putting online, and “Hoya” simply said “I hate solidarity committee.”
Usually, we wouldn’t pay much mind to such ignorance, but these comments betray a larger flaw in the mindset of many Georgetown students. It seems many students cannot move past the intro-to-economics perspective of simple supply and demand, and it is obvious they have no respect for the dignity of working people or their right to fight for better wages and working conditions.
Truth is, Aramark is more than capable of paying each of its workers a living wage without passing the costs down to students. The company posted record profits last year, and if it looks to raise prices because its workers want a living wage, Georgetown’s administration should threaten to cut its contract. Perhaps they should have done this last year, when prices went up with no increase in labor expenditures. The fact remains that a union is the only practical way for cafeteria workers to have a chance at a higher standard of living in this job. Anyone who truly embraces the Jesuit heritage of this university should be supportive of the workers and what Solidarity is doing to assist them.
Solidarity is not a new-wave, hippie movement—it is an old idea of justice and equality. Many Georgetown students are incredibly privileged, and unfortunately their views seem far too informed by their economic status. Breaking out of this elitist mindset is crucial in embracing the true essence of a Hoya—common concern for the less fortunate and a desire to help change their situation. If students here cannot get behind workers standing up for their own rights with the help of student organization, they need to adjust their poisonous and dangerous mindsets.
Dear editorial board,
Welcome to the internet. Anonymity and the fact that comments are just that: comments (even this may get a tl;dr) means people aren’t going to be civil or take the time to explain their arguments. Not to mention trolling, and by highlighting these posters you have just fed the troll. Bad.
One more thing, by assuming people who disagree with you are ignorant, ill-informed, “amateur economists” and labeling them as such really comes off as elitist… which is odd because that’s what you accused the posters of being. But regardless, there are other viable economic arguments from communism to Uncle Milty’s free market.
Actually one more thing (it’s my turn to throw an opinion out there :D), if a business is profitable that doesn’t mean they can remain that way when you raise the fixed cost of retaining each worker. In fact, if you win raised wages you risk layoffs or further reduced hours. If you threaten to cut a contract as a defense that’s not going to change the fact that the next company to come in won’t have the same living wage issues. But, perhaps you are right the company could afford to raise wages, if so it would be good to do some solid number crunching to prove it rather than just saying profits and a price increase mean the workers aren’t getting what they should. Did profits increase in real terms or just nominally? Maybe a major piece on the facts and figures could convince me of your point, but as it stands, I remain skeptical.
tl;dr Lighten up and take the internet/yourselves less seriously
I definitely agree with the idea of solidarity, but in this case, it doesn’t really apply. Of course, Leo’s workers should probably be paid more, but then again, when shouldn’t anyone be? Literally anyone can argue that they need to be “paid” more, as the level of satisfaction with your income varies with the cost of your living. Obviously, there is a measurement of poverty and what qualifies you as “poor,” but until Leo’s workers are completely satisfied with their lives — which, given the circumstances they’re in, I don’t think will happen for a while — they will continue to “unmotivated, slow, rude, and cranky.” I’m sorry, but that’s just the way it is. I apologize to the workers who have to deal with some real snobs that attend Georgetown, but they shouldn’t take that anger out on the majority of us who are respectful, kind, and really just want to grab some food and leave.
It’s very clear that this article was written with a liberal bias; however, I am a liberal myself and I think that given the current status of the economy, Leo’s workers should be happy to have jobs in the first place. That may sound harsh, but I know that as a college student expecting to graduate in two years, I’d be extremely happy just to land a job given this economy.
Bottom line: Do I think that Leo’s workers should be about to unionize and fight for their rights? Yes. Do I think that we as students should have to suffer in their open protests? No. If Leo’s workers are that motivated and determined to fight for higher pay as they claim they are, they should organize on their own time, not during our meal times. I know there have already been a few meetings on campus locations for this exact matter — why not continue with that? The meal-time protests are not effective for anybody.
Also, just some advice for some Leo’s workers: it’s a lot easier to speak against your cause when you are unfriendly, cold, and sometimes downright rude. Would it really kill you to smile once in a while?
That’s my two cents.
Response to the first comment by Firstdayontheinternetkid
So… we should ignore the social problems and allow ignorance to prevail just so we don’t feed into the trolls? COOL PRIORITY SKILLS (and Georgetown Values), BRO.
In your (and the other trolls’) minds, freedom of speech on internet (even if it something of no substance) > human dignity and the VALUE OF PEOPLE.
The Voice : The Hoya :: American : GW
@response to internet kid: Bad. Stopping feeding them.
Also of course it is more important, when people lose their ability to speak freely they lose the right to organize and do the very things that Solidarity wants to do with the workers. You can’t pick and choose with freedom… as I said before: if you want trolls to go away don’t feed them. Especially after midnight: they morph into ferocious neckbeards!
Also Gringo is a snazzy fella.
Also, just some advice for some Leo’s workers: it’s a lot easier to speak against your cause when you are unfriendly, cold, and sometimes downright rude. Would it really kill you to smile once in a while? – Anonymous
– Sir, you certainly don’t work (and we’re not counting work-study desk job hw scholarships) and/or you must come from a society with a severely HEAVY sense of entitlement…
Kids at this school are just too fucking much.
In the busyness that so many of us (students and people in general) get caught up in, I think it is important to look outside ourselves and priorities for one moment. I talked to the morning swiper at breakfast today, she gets in at four, five days a week. I was annoyed that I had to wake up at 7 this morning. She usually spends until three swiping plastic go cards through the machine. That can’t be exactly thrilling. I’ll admit there are one or two workers that aren’y particularly chummy, but who are we to judge? By and large the staff has some really wonderful people. I’m sure you can think of a few: Stacey, the man who works at the Stir-fry station at night, there is a woman you calls everyone \Baby.\ The random holidays Leo’s celebrates. Even if you’re not into it, admit it is festive. Nothing is perfect, Leo’s included. But at least give them credit.
Anthony P,
Actually, for your information, I work a 12 hour work week in addition to a full course load (with an intensive language), and it’s not a “work-study ‘scholarship’ job,” it is a competitive internship that I had to apply for and work hard to get — and it’s not easy work. Going further back, I actually wouldn’t be at Georgetown in the first place had I not worked my butt off to earn the generous scholarship I’m currently on; so no, I’m not some over-privileged rich kid like you have assumed.
I come from a background where if you work hard, if pays off. I understand that people hail from all different backgrounds and circumstances, but all I’m saying is that the Leo’s workers could be a little more courteous once in a while. I don’t think that’s that much to ask.
shut up you bunch of hipsters