Labor Protest Raises New Concerns

CANTON, NY- St. Lawrence University’s SEIU union employees staged a demonstration earlier this week in response to an ongoing labor dispute. Motivation for their protest stemmed from growing frustrations between the University and their union laborers regarding working conditions.  

Union members at St. Lawrence cited what they believe to be inequitable, unappreciated and often unsafe working conditions as the primary grounds for their vexation. They also adduced a December decision made by the University, to give raises to a small group of employees, as the decisive moment for their decision to take action. 

They posted advertisements for the event across campus last week, attempting to spread awareness for their cause. They encouraged SLU students to attend in support of their movement while also providing a QR code with a link to a petition asking for support.  

A group of over 150 students, faculty, staff and Canton locals made their way to the Canton Village Park for the event that lasted just over half an hour. A crowd of SEIU union members wearing purple shirts assembled in front of the Civil War Memorial close to the intersection of Main Street and Park Street. Purple is the union’s official color; the shirts also featured the SEIU logo. Members held a banner adorned with the organization’s motto: “Local 200 United, Stronger Together.” 

Protesters also brought other signs that cited specific grievances held by the staff: “WE DESERVE A LIVING WAGE. WE HAVE FAMILIES TOO!” “SLU WORKS BECAUSE WE DO!” “OUR WORKING CONDITIONS ARE THE STUDENT LEARNING CONDITIONS!” 

Messages of unity between SLU staff and students were also coupled alongside their criticism: “WE [LOVE] SLU STUDENTS.” “SLU STUDENTS ROCK!” “SLU STUDENTS AND WORKERS UNITED.” 

The event was organized by Brian Teucke, who represents SEIU. Teucke, standing alongside workers, led the event from the front. Using a megaphone, he instructed protesters through a series of chants. “THE WORKERS UNITED WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED” echoed through the air, followed by “THE PEOPLE UNITED WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED.” 

SLU’s Matthew Grant-Bolton ’23 was given the chance to speak at the rally, which he used to pledge his support for the workers. In an email to The Hill News, he commented further on the situation. He wrote, “These folks are simply asking for basic care and a living wage in exchange for doing the most important and most demanding work on campus – I think that it’s about time that the institution recognizes that. It does not do anyone any good to break the backs of the people [we] depend on.” 

Grant-Bolton also related this demonstration to another that took place earlier this month at the MacAllastar House in response to the ongoing Jane Doe v. St. Lawrence University lawsuit: “Hopefully the grassroots mobilization in response to the carelessness and greed with which [SLU] treated both survivors of sexual assault and their waged employees will force the administration to take long overdue action.” 

At SLU, the month of April has been accented by protests representing a variety of different grievances held against the university—most notably, SEIU union members pushing for better conditions and SLU students criticizing the university’s response to ongoing legal disputes. It is yet to be seen how these demonstrations will affect the future of the SLU community, but it is becoming evident that many people are left desiring more.