BY DANA DiFILIPPO
The Cincinnati Enquirer
University of Cincinnati students got a lesson in labor relations when they returned for the start of fall term Wednesday.
Hundreds of UC's service workers went on a one-day strike Wednesday morning, demanding better pay. Pickets walked around UC's main campus, as well as its campuses in Blue Ash and Batavia Township. Although some students reported minor disorganization in registration and financial aid, many agreed the strike didn't cause any major disruptions at the 34,000-student school.
Service Employees International Union District 925 leaders say workers want a system for wage progression in their next contract.
The union represents 850 office support staff, technical and paraprofessionals who work in campus registration, library, parking support, financial aid, admissions and purchasing. More than 550 work on UC's main campus.
The union says administrators aren't addressing its wage complaints because most union members are women and minorities.
"The University of Cincinnati is operating under the antiquated thought that most of us are women, and we have husbands at home, and the wages we make are gravy," said Georgette Burns, 52, a single mother from Westwood who is a facilities and room scheduling specialist.
"I worked two jobs for two years and didn't have a day off. That was the only way I could make the rent, pay a car payment on a used car and keep my son in clothes. We're out there raising families. They need to pay us a living wage."
Mattie Gray, a receptionist and single mother of four, said she has to sell vacuum cleaners in her spare time to supplement the $16,500 UC pays her annually.
"Parents shouldn't have to work two jobs and abandon their families to make a decent living," said Ms. Gray, 41, of Lincoln Heights.
Some students seemed skeptical of union claims; others offered support.
"With the diversity here, it doesn't seem like we'd have any problems with prejudice," said Heather Cumming, 18, a freshman from Dayton.
Said Carlos Jackson, 27, a fifth-year student from Avondale: "I feel for their cause, because everyone should have fair pay." UC administrators and about 5,000 "student helpers" filled in for striking workers.
"We want to get back to the table," UC spokesman Greg Hand said. "And I'm sure that the mediator wants to get us back to the table. We're waiting on the union."
Union members have been working since June under an extension of their old contract.
A State Employee Relations Board mediator was called in.
