January 31, 2012 12:12 am
A Return of the Campaign for Living Wage at St. Mary’s
By Anna Davis, Former Features Editor
Stemming from The Point News article last semester about raises in administration wages and a freeze on college grounds, housekeeping, and maintenance staff wages, a campaign has started that is demanding a living wage for these college staff members.
In the campaign flyers, many of which were distributed during the Club Fair on campus on Friday, Feb. 20, a living wage is defined as “the minimum yearly salary required for a worker to meet basic needs for themselves and their families.” Living wage in St. Mary’s County is $34,317 for a single-parent, one child home. Also according to the flyers, “the lowest paid College staff members make $24,500 a year.” Thus, many college staff are paid far below living wage and cannot afford basic necessities.
This is not the first time students at St. Mary’s have campaigned for a living wage. In September of 2006, students rallied and held a sit-in in former college President Jane Margaret O’Brien’s office for seven days. In a Washington Post article written by staff writer Michael Tunison on Sept. 24, 2006, it was stated that the students were “demanding that the college pay all workers a living wage, which they defined as $32,000 annually, based on cost-of-living figures for a household of three or four living in a two-bedroom apartment in St. Mary’s County and spending less than 30 percent of their income on shelter and utilities.” During the sit-in, students missed class and extracurricular activities and received a lot of support from college staff members.
Though progress was made with the union (the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3980), staff members did not receive a raise in salaries to the demanded figure.
In an email sent to all staff, faculty, and students on Jan. 18, President Joseph Urgo stated, “I am keenly aware of the ongoing anxiety that the state freeze [on wages] has created. We have taken advantage of whatever windows were available to make adjustments where possible, and will continue to do so when the opportunity is provided.”
Meetings about the campaign for a living wage occur on Mondays at 8:00 p.m. in Goodpaster Hall, room 186. Email smcmsds@gmail.com with any questions.
“We have taken advantage of whatever windows were available to make adjustments where possible, and will continue to do so when the opportunity is provided.”
What you really mean Joe, is that whenever the opportunity comes for you to get your big pay raise along with making sure the highest paid at SMC get more income, you will do everything you can to make sure it happens. It is pathetic that the students at SMC have to campaign to get better wages for the staff workers at the school. Not saying we don’t appreciate it, but if the students see how the workers are being hosed every year, why can’t Administration see it? Time to remove the blinders, Joe!!!!
Here is a suggestion to increase morale among staff: when the state makes the funds available for the 2% across the board increase next January, the administrators and faculty (especially the “critical staff”) who have received increases could decline theirs and have it divided among the staff who have not had increases.
“We have taken advantage of whatever windows were available to make adjustments where possible, and will continue to do so when the opportunity is provided.” So says Joe Urgo.
The only advantage the President took was to ensure those who didn’t really need the money were taken care of. And of course the first person on the list was who else; Joe Urgo, of course!
While it is very well appreciated, it is pathetic that the students of SMC have to take up the fight for the staff workers at SMC. Even these students know the meaning of a living wage. So why is this President so blind? Is he so arrogant to believe that staff workers are going to stand still for this for much longer? Maybe it’s time for the college staff to strike. I know that I would totally support them!
Its interesting to see the names of the people that were chosen as “Operationally Critical Staff”. Its also interesting to look at those names of the 18 staff members and see that 3 of them actually got a raise last year. Is it just me or hasn’t the college been telling members of the college that the state has been on a salary freeze?!
Mr. Urgo, your friend(s) in Calvert have not bee telling you everthing!!
staff also includes administrative assistants
I would like to remind everyone that Public Safety is also considered Staff and also has a base salary of $24,500. Not trying to take anything away from the other staff members on campus, but Public Safety seems to be left out when people start talking about Staff on campus. Those guys are the only 24 hour department on campus and work just are hard and are as just deserving as any other Staff member on the campus. Not a sermon just a thought.
I’m not sure why it’s necessary to ‘campaign’ for any staff raise. I went to the living wage meeting last Thursday, and the discussion centered around how much people should earn….rather than how much a certain job is worth.
When we talk about the $24500 salary, are we including ALL of the benefits given to the staff…health care, free education, or total compensation? I’ll bet there are staff members that are taking advantage of the educational environment to improve their situation….and therefore their choices.
And really, isn’t this all about choices? One of the facilitators of the discussion put together a mock budget to help justify the need for a raise. He spoke of a hypothetical single parent with one child. Why are we always talking about a single parent of one? That’s the first mistake. That’s why it takes two to raise a child. I’m raising two and it’s expensive! Some of the items on the budget included cable TV and a cell phone. Are these necessities? No, these are choices. One of the testimonials spoke about needing a roommate to make ends meet. Many of us have been in that situation in our lives. You do what you have to do.
Why aren’t we comfortable letting the market drive wages, for all members of the staff. If employees can find better salaries elswhere, then they are free to pursue those opportunities. That’s the best thing about living here. And if enough of the staff leave for better opportunities, then the college would have to pay more to entice people to stay.
I hope what the students learn from this exercise is that you have the chance through education and hard work to not be in a situation where you are depending on others to determine your compensation. The more education you have, and the more marketable skills you develop, the higher the wage you can demand.
What fantasy world do you live in? “I hope what the students learn from this exercise is that you have the chance through education and hard work to not be in a situation where you are depending on others to determine your compensation.” Other than working for yourself, when would you NOT depend on someone else to determine your compensation? Are you an entitlee?