Jax State union workers challenge university's wage practices

The Jacksonville State University chapter of the United Campus Workers union has called for an increase in the minimum wage for hourly employees.

“UCW-JSU is calling for a phased increase to $15 per hour by the end of 2024 and $17 per hour by 2025,” the union said in the news release.

This demand, aimed at university President Don Killingsworth, is the first major action from the union, which went public in fall 2023.

Sarah Donley, associate professor of sociology and organizing member of UCW-JSU, said in a phone interview that when it went public the union did a survey and sent it to all employees at JSU.

“The number one concern was low wages, so that’s what inspired our first campaign,” Donley said.

Prior to the release, Donley said, multiple attempts were made to set up a meeting with Killingsworth to discuss the union’s concerns. She said there was a lot of “back and forth” but nothing ever materialized.

Beyond that, she said the response from the administration in regard to UCW-JSU’s existence has been “very quiet.”

JSU’s administration has, however, released a statement in response to UCW-JSU’s demands.

“Jacksonville State University is committed to building a sustainable future with a commitment to access, inclusion, and student success,” the statement said. “We also recognize the diverse needs of our more than 1,200 employees.”

The statement highlighted JSU’s compensation package, which currently includes 100 percent tuition assistance to employees and their families, state pension, 21 paid holidays, 12 vacation days and 12 sick days.

Furthermore, the statement said that a 4 percent raise was given in October 2023 to employees earning less than $45,000, as well as a 3 percent raise for those earning more than $45,000.

Still, a Jan. 25 article in the student-run Chanticleer about campus housekeeping employees reported that some workers make as little as $9.09 an hour — far below what’s considered a livable wage in Alabama, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“Benefits don’t put food on the table,” Donley said in response to the university’s statement. “JSU does provide excellent benefits. However, a lot of those are cost-share. And if you’re making $700 every two weeks, can you afford to have that taken out of your paycheck?”

She says that UCW-JSU has clearly identified areas of improvement if the university wants to live up to its motto of “Friendliest Campus in the South.”

Since the union went public, Donley says response from faculty and campus workers has been positive, saying that membership has increased 150 percent since August.

“You can expect more from us in the future,” she said.