Local 560 response to President Kim's message about Dartmouth layoffs
We are outraged that they intend to lay off 76 non-faculty staff,
starting tomorrow. This will devastate these men and women - including
managerial, administrative, and lower paid workers - who have invested
their lives and careers at Dartmouth for many years.
The college has failed to justify with objective, empirical numbers that
these layoffs are necessary, despite repeated requests for information.
There are other ways to resolve the college's financial challenges while
avoiding layoffs.
These layoffs are a rush to judgment and appear to be a decision that
was preordained as a part of a hidden agenda to take advantage of the
economic crisis. They have not considered other options and have not
offered one substantive proposal at negotiations.
We contend that the college's financial plight is the direct result of
risky investment practices the college used when the economy was strong.
We decry the administration's decision to make middle managers and
lower-wage workers pay the price for high-risk investment strategies on
the part of a few college leaders - including trustees who specialize in
investment strategies. They are not paying any price for their risky
behavior.
The layoff announcement made today by President Kim is misleading when
it claims that these layoffs represent only 2 percent of the work force.
The total work force reduction is actually 11.2 percent - including 105
retirements, 158 layoffs last year, 43 unfilled positions, and the
current 76 new layoffs - totaling 382 workers removed from Dartmouth
work force of 3,400 people.
We find that their actions border on callous disregard for the lives of
employees who have faithfully served this community for many years.
Their decisions will resonate throughout the Upper Valley in the weeks
and months to come as workers and their families struggle to keep their
homes, shop in local stores, and remain vital members of the larger
community.
We are especially concerned that most of these former employees will
quickly lose their health care benefits. We find it incredibly ironic
that President Kim -- who has built his career and public reputation on
providing health care for the neediest people in the world -- would
quickly dissolve his concerns to save a few dollars for a multi-billion
dollar private institution like Dartmouth College.
While we appreciate the president's offer to donate 10 percent of his
and key administrators' salaries for a "hardship fund" for laid-off
employees, we would find it more beneficial if, instead, they would make
the same gesture to save jobs.
The union also will organize fundraising events to help establish a
hardship fund for any laid off staff person regardless of union
membership. And we will endeavor - at the bargaining table - to attempt
to negotiate a fair contract that will help Dartmouth resolve its
financial challenges.
At the same time, the college must understand that college staff are not
wealthy and struggle to make ends meet. Any plan that radically slashes
wages and benefits will have the same effect as a lay-off. We stand
ready to make sacrifices but the college still needs to negotiate the
details in good faith, share information and allow us to offer
suggestions. Non-negotiable demands will not help the situation no
matter how well intentioned. The students, the faculty, staff and
community still need a seat at the table.
We feel justifiably angry that the lowest-paid members of the Dartmouth
community would be asked to pay the highest price for the poor decisions
made by highly compensated mangers of Dartmouth's financial realm.
We call upon all members of the Dartmouth community -- faculty,
students, staff, alumni, and members of the Upper Valley -- to protest
these layoffs in visible, tangible ways in the days and weeks ahead by
refusing to support Dartmouth-related activities and funding requests
until the college is prepared to provide solutions that do not include
destroying people's lives.
Sincerely
Earl F Sweet
President SEIU LOCAL 560
VP District 2 NH AFL-CIO