University students, faculty members and community members gathered to discuss issues about the minimum wage of University employees during a forum that took place in Memorial Gymnasium last Saturday.
The forum was organized by U.Va. Workers and Students United and members of the University and Charlottesville communities, said Erin Franey, a student leader of U.Va Workers and Students United.
The forum was organized in two parts. The first part addressed what comprised a living wage, and the second part regarded what those present could do to work toward making a just wage policy a reality at the University. Each part of the forum included multiple speakers and small group discussions.
"We had two main goals for the forum," Franey said. "We wanted everyone who came to learn something new about living wage at U.Va in 2010; we also wanted to create concrete plans of action to begin building momentum and awareness amongst our community and to start building a positive relationship with president-elect Sullivan. I think both were achieved."
Currently, the University's minimum wage for employees stands at $10.14 an hour, which proponents of the living wage movement argue is not enough to care for oneself and a family, which is the second-highest rate in the state, just behind George Mason University. At the University, less than 2 percent of full-time, academic employees earn less than $11.71 an hour.
The living wage issue historically has been a controversial topic at the University. In April 2006, 17 students were arrested for trespassing during a sit-in at Madison Hall.
Though Franey - now in her third year - has participated in conversations about living wage since her first year, she said the impending transition of the University's leadership to Teresa A. Sullivan makes this an appropriate time to take action on the issue.
"I and others feel a great sense of hope that President-elect Sullivan will collaborate with us to make sure our university pays each worker, direct and contracted employees, a living wage," she said.\nSome students, however, disagree with the forum's goals, noting that the University has several financial concerns and directing more funding to addressing the living wage issue may prove detrimental.
"A student told me before the forum that in the present financial crisis, the University must spend its money on projects that will tangibly benefit the school," said Greg Casar, a student leader of U.Va. Workers and Students United.
Other factors that potentially complicate the issue include whether the University can legally force its contractors to pay their employees a living wage. Moreover, because different positions necessitate different pay-grades, it could be difficult to establish a standard across the entire University.
Overall, the forum was successful in moving, challenging and engaging for those present, Franey said.
"I think those who showed up learned some new things about living wage and how they could participate in this movement and get others involved," she said.
Stephanie DeWolfe, who also serves as a student leader of U.Va Workers and Students United, agreed that the event was a success.
"It was a great turnout and everyone was engaged," she said. "People were very open in sharing their thoughts and hesitations, and overall, I think everyone left having learned something"
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