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Proposal:
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Scores of university women workers (mostly housekeeping and custodial staff) have come forward with horrifying allegations of workplace sexual assault and abuse. These allegations are detailed throughout the BFSA's 56-page worker abuse report. Countless women workers have also aired their sexual abuse allegations at seven forums that were hosted by the BFSA, in conjunction with other organizations. Man of these allegations were said to have happened at the early morning hours when many workers check in at 4:00 AM. These women have categorically stated how fearful they are when they walk in the darkness from one work zone to another. They desperately would like a restoration of the shuttle service that used to be provided to workers as recently in the 1990s, when it brought them from wherever they punched in to the various work zones.
This kind of shuttle service would help provide added safety to our valued workers and show that we (as a community) are committed to this human rights issue (sexual abuse). Restoring this much needed shuttle service should not be a huge undertaking when it comes to re-implementing. If we value our workers like we do our reputation, we should move forward with this shuttle service as soon as possible. This AM shuttle service would not be a huge financial undertaking, however regardless of the costs---it is something that should not be impeded because of cost. If we can build infrastructure around campus at the "drop of a hat" we should be able to provide shuttle service to ensure the overall protection of women workers who are petrified over being physically abused. I am asking the senate to help bring about this workplace policy change by way of a bill that would re-establish an AM shuttle service for campus workers. Their protection is a human right. We have met with university law enforcement officials (including Chief David Mitchell) who concur that this is a service whose need is of the essence. As it stands right now UMD students are waking up at 3 AM to come to campus to provide foot escort service to these workers, from zone to zone. These students are doing an incredibly altruistic service, however this is something the university, itself, should be providing for workers. |
