9/13/22

Article: https://bit.ly/3LiVWaw

David Siemers, chapter president for the local AFT – American Federation of TeachersAFT-Wisconsin union that helped organize the protest and a petition against the outsourcing, said the group was “very happy today.”

Siemers said the union was pleased to be a part of the process and doesn’t think the change would have happened without the entire university community — from staff, faculty and students — coming together….

“We all worked together for the outcome that is beneficial to janitors and grounds crew,” he said. “But this will be beneficial to the university as a whole, which will be well served by the workers staying university employees.”

Three different groups, including the union, started petitions against the university potentially outsourcing the jobs. Another petition was started by staff and a third by UW-Oshkosh students. Siemers presented all three to the chancellor at 1 p.m. Monday. 

In total, more than 1,500 people signed in support of the employees.

Siemers said alumni and staff at other UW System schools signed to support the custodial staff. He feels the support of so many to advocate for keeping more public sector jobs is a good thing for the whole state.

“These are our public institutions,” he said. “We need to take care of them.”

Information also posted to:

AFT-Wisconsin

Wisconsin State AFL-CIO