TMCnet News
STRIKE ALERT: UNITE HERE Local 11 Pomona College Dining Hall Workers Walk Out on Strike During Family WeekendFollowing stagnant negotiations with Pomona College, at 6 am Friday morning, dozens of dining hall workers at Pomona College walked out on strike as Family Weekend begins. The workers' primary contract demand is a significant raise to keep pace with the soaring cost of living. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates that a living wage for a family of four with two working adults in Los Angeles County is $30.73 an hour. Some dining hall employees, the overwhelmingly majority of whom are people of color, earn $18.00 an hour. "I am on strike because I deserve to provide for my family, the same way I care for Pomona's wonderful students. As a skilled worker at Pomona College, my profession contributes to the health and wellness of the students and the college's overall success," said Marie O'Campo, baker of 8 years at Pomona College. /p>
Pomona College's $3 billion endowment is the 7th highest among all U.S. universities and colleges - ahead of Yale and Wesleyan - on a per student basis. Earlier this fall, Pomona opened a $57 million new athletic facility. "I am striking because I want more for myself and for my family. There are employees that have been working here for 30 years or more and they deserve more. I hope to one day be able to make enough to buy a house," said Hector Melendrez, who earns $18.00 an hour as a utility worker. "Pomona College has failed to meet the workers' demands. They have chosen to take a brave step, and we hope the college will finally listen to their concerns and give them the living wage they deserve," said Kurt Petersen, co-president of UNITE HERE Local 11. UNITE HERE Local 11 is a labor union representing over 32,000 hospitality workers in Southern California and Arizona who work in hotels, restaurants, universities, convention centers, and airports.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221029005017/en/ |