Around 30 student protesters demanded support for American University janitors and their union, SEIU 32BJ, outside on the Letts-Anderson Quad, as negotiations for a new union contract began Sept. 19.
The janitors’ current contract with Aramark, the hospitality company through which the University outsources their custodial labor, ends on Sept. 30. Negotiations for a new contract began in the Anderson Hall residence at 10:00 a.m. on the day of the demonstration.
The union’s demands include a $3 per hour pay raise, better benefits and sustainable working conditions, according to members of AU’s chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America. Julie Karant, the union’s communications associate, said on Sept. 25 that specifics within the contract are “very fluid” right now, but more details will be available as the Sept. 30 deadline approaches.
Organizers led various call and response chants including “AU janitors you’re so cool, welcome to your union school” and “Hey hey, ho ho, Aramark’s greed has got to go.”
They also chanted “Si se puede,” a Spanish motto most notably adopted by the United Farm Workers and used by Spanish-speaking activists worldwide. In English, the phrase translates to “Yes, it can be done.”
Organizers directed students to stand in a line facing the Anderson-Centennial building about 10 minutes into the demonstration. Some held signs reading “Clean up your contract American” and “Students support the Janitors United.” Others held up fliers with headshots of University janitors.
The night before the protest, YDSA hosted a teach-in with union representatives and janitorial staff.
Steve Scricca, YDSA campaign chair and a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, said the University failed to adequately inform janitorial staff that three of their coworkers had died during the pandemic.
“They had to take on the additional work that those three people had left behind without any increasing pay, without any compensation and without any warning, not only that they were going to take on more work, but that their colleagues were dying,” Scricca said.
The Eagle reached out to University Communications and Marketing for a comment about notifying janitorial staff about their coworkers’ deaths.
“Custodial and housekeeping workers are employed by Aramark, which is contracted to provide these services at American University. The workers are not AU employees,” Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Matt Bennet said.
Willow Gaven, a junior in the School of Public Affairs, said staff members informed her of their working conditions at the Sept. 18 night teach-in. Gaven said concerning conditions included 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. work shifts, working on all major holidays and working for 11 days straight.
“They’re essential workers and they’re treated like essential workers, but they are not compensated like essential workers,” Scricca said. “They are not paid and respected like we are supposed to respect our essential workers.”
Bennet said the “terms and conditions” of custodial employment are determined entirely through Aramark and the University has “no input” on the application of such conditions, in a statement to The Eagle.
“When concerns regarding the experience of contract workers on our campus are brought to our attention, AU promptly notifies our contract at Aramark to respond promptly,” Bennett said. “Any further inquiries about the negotiations or associated issues should be directed to Aramark.”
Sinit Tekleab, YDSA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion chair and a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, spoke to the crowd about her emotional experience at the Sept. 18 meeting.
“That teach-in, I left crying, I left sobbing, you can ask my friends. It was very impactful,” Tekleab said.
“Why are these janitors dying and we don’t know about it,” Tekleab added when speaking into the megaphone, to which the crowd responded: “Shame.”
Chanting and speeches continued for about an hour before the crowd dispersed.
Rohin Ghosh, YDSA co-president and a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences, said students and workers together have the power to stand against “abhorrent” working conditions.
“We exist to mobilize students in support of workers everywhere, especially on our campus,” Ghosh said.
This isn’t the first time AU students have taken measures to show support for janitors at the University. In 2016, students staged a sit-in because of concerns of mistreatment to custodial workers, led by Exploited Wonks and the Justice for AU Workers coalition.
Organizers said they plan to continue to put pressure on the University and its client, Aramark, amplifying the union’s demands through future actions and regular updates on their Instagram account. The organization announced daily events beginning on Sept. 23 during what they note as “a crucial week in the janitors’ fight for a fair contract,” leading up to the Sept. 30 deadline of the current contract’s end and the start of parents' weekend. YDSA has also organized a petition which has over 360 signatures.
Ghosh encouraged students to show solidarity in other ways too.
“When you see your janitors in the hallways, in the buildings on campus, say ‘hi,’” Ghosh said. “Let them know that they have your support and that’s how we’re going to make sure our janitors get what they deserve.”
This article was edited by Payton Anderson, Tyler Davis and Abigail Turner. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks and Ella Rousseau.
