Religious groups unite to support workers
BY AMANDA N. MAYNORD amaynord@nashvillecitypaper.com
The cheers from more than 150 religious and community organization leaders in a crowded room made Dewayne Arbogast feel like a rock star yesterday.
The cheers were coming in support of Vanderbilt University’s labor community, and Arbogast, a janitor at the university for more than 10 years, said he hoped that yesterday’s interfaith vigil would encourage better communication between university leaders and members of his housekeeping union.
“We want to take a positive step forward and open into a more congenial partnership with management so that we can avoid a smack down, grudge match,” Arbogast said.
The labor group and the university have battled over contract negotiations and an increase in pay for union workers for nearly a year at Vanderbilt.
In the course of his tenure at Vanderbilt, Arbogast said he has only seen an increase in pay of around $3, with a starting wage currently of around $6. He said under the old contract, the ability to earn higher pay was available but the mechanism for workers to reach various levels of employment was not in place.
The newly agreed upon contract between the union and university will allow all workers to earn, at some point, more than $10 an hour.
“People will have opportunities, based on their years of service and on their performance level, to get merit raises throughout the year,” Arbogast said. “That was a huge win for everybody.”
Melissa Snarr, assistant professor of Ethics and Society at Vanderbilt’s Divinity School, said Tuesday’s message was asking that workers and university officials form a religious covenant, or contract, to support the labor force.
“A covenant is meant to be more,” Snarr said. “It’s meant to be a deeper commitment that says we all belong to the same moral community. It reminds us that people in the community are not just interchangeable units, but that each person brings irreplaceable gifts and contributions.”
Michael Schoenfeld, VU’s vice chancellor for public affairs, said the university’s workforce is essential to continued growth and success.
“Vanderbilt is fortunate to have the best employees whose individual and collective dedication to our mission have brought great distinction to all parts of the university,” he said. “We are committed to recognizing and rewarding all members of the Vanderbilt community for their contributions to our continued success.” CP