Following the proposal to allow Thai Gardens to accept meal points, students and Aramark workers held protests in support of campus workers. They continue to assert that spending points off campus will cause Aramark workers to lose their jobs or suffer from reduced hours.
Whether right or wrong, protesters thus far have been missing the point. In targeting Thai gardens—a small business that has gradually become a campus favorite over the years—protestors have overlooked the broader issue. The root of the problem is not Thai Gardens, or Guiseppes, or any other restaurant in Middletown that would accept points, but Aramark. Because the company has failed to deliver on its promise of improving the already dismal dining options on campus, the burden must be placed on Aramark.
And this is precisely what has not been done.
Thus far we have been bombarded by chalkings and flyers that compel student to “boycott Thai Gardens” or “support worker rights.” However, what has been conspicuously lacking is information. Without hard data, protests become propaganda. The unions and the students should do some serious research as to what the actual effects will be of using points off campus. What will be the effect of the change on workers? What are the actual numbers? By boycotting small business, some of which students have been going to happily for years, USLAC’s members have alienated students.
The campaign for worker rights has failed to lay the blame where it belongs and has instead adopted strategies that places the weight of blame on students. It isn’t because the WSA voted for points off campus that such an injustice is being done to workers—it’s because Aramark failed to deliver their product. The unions should back Thai Gardens and work on convincing Aramark that they need to change their ways.
An effective way to stir up campus opposition to Aramark would be to hold some informative talks to get the word out about what needs to happen. Until the protestors get the picture, nothing constructive can be accomplished.
For the unions,
Thai Gardens workers are working for the same thing as Aramark workers. Targeting small businesses misses the point.
Union should direct energy toward influencing students and Aramark. Aramark has the power to change things.
The boycotts cause the unions to alienate student support.
The unions should back Thai Gardens and tell Aramark what needs to change. If points off campus violates Aramark’s contract with the unions, focus on changing this.
For the students,
Same thing. Focus your energy on influencing Aramark.
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