By Jason Sibert<\/p>\n
The Washington University Graduate Workers Union held a demonstration yesterday on campus to fight for 15 dollars an hours in pay and childcare subsides.<\/p>\n
The union and its supporters gathered around Danforth University Center in the beginning. \u00a0The Graduate Workers Union represents teaching assistants and food service and support workers at Washington University. Many displayed signs that said \u201cshow me 15,\u201d America needs unions,\u201d \u201cgraduate workers stand united,\u201d and \u201cJobs with Justice Stands with Unions.\u201d Graduate student worker Santiago Rozo-Sanchez addressed the crowd in the beginning and pointed out the need for a living wage and said that some demonstrators are sitting in the university\u2019s chancellor\u2019s office in support of the cause.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing here is an enormous privilege,\u201d Rozo-Sanchez said. \u201cThis is one of the biggest employers in St. Louis. Let\u2019s make it a better version of itself.\u201d<\/p>\n
St. Louis resident Shannon Duffy, a member of the United Media Guild, attended and said she did so because \u201cworkers deserve a living wage.\u201d She said much money flows to Washington University and that graduate workers deserve more than a poverty wage. Phoebe Love, who is a graduate of Washington University Law School, also said she attended to support a living wage.<\/p>\n
Cody Burleson, who works for the non-profit Jobs with Justice, was also among the demonstrators. Jobs with Justice helped organize supporters for the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a peak action to help these workers win 15 dollars an hour and childcare subsides,\u201d Burleson said. \u201cWashington University is largest employers around. They should be paying a living wage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Approximately 150 demonstrators marched around the campus and in and out of buildings chanting slogans like \u201cget up, get down, St. Louis is a union town,\u201d \u201cif we don\u2019t get it, shut in down,\u201d and \u201cwe are the union, the mighty union.\u201d They were greeted with smiles and thumbs up by some working in the university\u2019s cafeterias as they demonstrated. \u00a0After marching, they gathered in the area in front of the chancellor\u2019s office and continued to chant. Rabbi Susan Talve of the Central Reform Congregation addressed the crowd.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a rabbi and a human being I want to stand with the workers,\u201d Talve said. \u201cI want to encourage others to do the same thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Talve is a Washington University parent, contributor, and she also hold an honorary doctorate from the university.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese people should be paid a living wage,\u201d she said. \u201cIt helps the bottom line of the whole region and the soul of the region.\u201d<\/p>\n
At the end of the demonstration, some sang the union song \u201cSolidarity Forever.\u201d Others said they would camp out outside the chancellor\u2019s office in support of the cause.<\/p>\n
Jason Sibert is the executive director of the Peace Economy Project.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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