Lorena Arita, a member of Tufts University’s custodial staff, comes to West Hall dormitory every morning and tries to ignore the threat of layoffs as she works to keep the building clean. Coming to Tufts in 1998, after the university had outsourced its custodial staff to DTZ, a property services company, she and her coworkers have experienced long work weeks and rising efficiency standards. Now, as Tufts seeks to renew its contract with DTZ, Tufts Labor Coalition (TLC), a student group that advocates for university employees, is stepping in to protest the possible cuts.

“Rumors began spreading from DTZ managers to janitors that there would be cuts to personnel sometime this year,” said TLC president, Tufts sophomore, Lior Appel-Kraut, “The administration hasn’t denied it. . . claiming that these cuts [may] need to be made to increase efficiency.”

TLC planned escalating demonstrations to raise awareness around the potential cuts, which culminated in a 31-hour sit-in at the end of the semester in Ballou Hall, Tufts’ central administrative building.

More at source: USA Today

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