Community Delegation Visits St. Michael’s College President to Protest Firing of Two Union Leaders. From the Press Release: "The recent firing of two long-term St. Michael’s College custodians, key union leaders in the 2012 unionization campaign that established the first ever union at SMC, has sparked a wave of protest from students, faculty, and alumni at the college which prides itself on a social justice tradition. Tom Kingston, with 15 years of service, and Dannis Hackney, employed for 9 years, were terminated this summer without notice, and given no opportunity for representation nor appeal. Supporters claim that the effort is designed to chill support for the union as custodians attempt to negotiate their first contract.
On Wednesday, a distinguished delegation of community leaders visited St. Michael’s to show support for the fired union leaders, and call for livable wages for the SMC custodians. They will be seeking a public statement from SMC President Jack Neuhauser for fair resolution of the Kingston and Hackney firings, and a commitment to livable wages at SMC. 'Our college claims a high moral purpose,' said Kirsten Wilson of St. Mike’s Student Labor Action Movement (SLAM), 'but custodians tell us they feel bullied. They deserve dignity, fair treatment and livable wages.'"
The delegation includes:
· Ben Johnson, President VT AFL-CIO and UPV/AFT
· Rachel Siegel, Burlington City Councilor
· David Shiman, Past President UA/AFT (UVM faculty union)
· Kirsten Wilson, Student Labor Action Movement-SMC
· Rob Slingerland, CCTA bus driver, activist, IBT 591
· Anna Gebhardt, Vermont Workers Center Board
· Corey Mallon, Steward, FNHP/AFT
