Troubling allegations have surfaced that the Service Employees International Union may have violated the provisions of its contract with Boston College with last month’s “Hat Day” demonstration outside of Hillside Café. Determining whether this gathering was indeed a violation of the contract’s prohibiting advertisements of Union disputes cannot be ascertained without a careful examination of labor law. The fact that the conflict even became publicized, however, raises questions as to how students found out about it in the first place.
The reasons for banning publicity for quarrels between labor and management are clear and necessary at any university, including Boston College. Because a university operates on a limited budget, the demands made of union employees often come down to dollars and cents. This fact is especially true here at Boston College, considering the recent economic downturn. If unions were allowed to publicize disputes on college campuses, they would win support from countless left-wing students and faculty members. Once the union wins popular support in a favorable environment that the modern university provides, the university faces a dilemma: balance the budget, or succumb to popular pressure.
Based on the arguments that pro-Union activists have used to support their cause, it is clear that they are using emotion to win their battle. Students in support of the Union have cited the Catholic position on social justice to argue that BC is not living up to its Jesuit identity with regard to the treatment of its employees. While these statements create the impression that BC is treating its service employees unfairly, they overlook the countless benefits that these workers receive. Service employees are treated in an equitable and honest manner; claims to the contrary demonstrate the inability of the SEIU to win support with logic rather than emotional appeal.
Despite our reservations, we too value the work of our service employees and consider them to be integral to our Catholic community. We hope that this dispute can be resolved amicably.
