February 20, 2021

A Resolution to Support Workers Employed by Contractors at GMU and Advance a Responsible Contractor Policy

Whereas, according to eVA, the centralized electronic platform for purchasing goods and services in the Commonwealth of Virginia, George Mason University (GMU) has over 122,000 listed agreements in place, making it the fifth largest purchasing agency in the Commonwealth; and

Whereas, many of these contractors assign their workers and those of their subcontractors to work on the campus of GMU; and

Whereas, some workers assigned to work at GMU by these contractors and subcontractors are paid less than $15 per hour, have no or few benefits, and are disproportionately people of color and immigrant; and

Whereas, these workers are essential, valued, and co-equal members of the GMU community; and

Whereas, GMU’s statement of values says “We Thrive Together” and “We nurture a positive and collaborative environment that contributes to the well-being and success of every member”; and

Whereas, the GMU central administration has been made aware that some of these workers have reported facing delays in the delivery of their pay, receiving bounced checks, inconsistent scheduling, arbitrary pay cuts, and intimidation and retaliation in response to assertions of their rights; and

Whereas, over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of these workers have performed some of the most essential and necessary work on GMU campuses to keep our community safe and clean and to help us grow—work that can elevate their risk of contracting the virus; and

Whereas, some contracted custodial and other workers have not been provided adequate personal protection equipment (PPE), and are not aware of and/or do not participate in the Mason COVID Health✓™ and the university’s COVID-19 testing program; now

Therefore, be it resolved, that the George Mason University Chapter of the AAUP supports all efforts by these workers to improve their working conditions, including but not limited to the joining and/or formation of unions; and

Be it further resolved, that GMU-AAUP supports the adoption of a responsible contractor policy that requires better working conditions (including living wages, health care benefits, training and apprenticeship opportunities) for Mason’s contracted workforce; and

Be it further resolved, that GMU-AAUP calls upon Mason to ensure that contracted workers have appropriate and sufficient PPE to safely carry out their jobs. Contracted custodial workers should not have to supply their own equipment. These workers should also be invited to participate in the Mason COVID Health✓™ program and the university’s COVID-19 testing program.

Signatures (as of 3/19/2021):

1. Bethany Letiecq, GMU-AAUP, GMU Coalition for Worker Rights

2. Tim Gibson, GMU-AAUP, GMU Coalition for Worker Rights

3. Jim Finkelstein, GMU-AAUP, GMU Coalition for Worker Rights