In a year where discussions about minimum wage have popped up across the country, a battle against wage disparity has gathered attention in the Little Apple. On a bitter-cold Thursday afternoon, nearly 30 peaceful demonstrators gathered in front of Edwards Hall on the K-State campus to show their support for wage increases for university custodial staff.
For the last half of 2016, the local chapter of the American Federation of Teachers has been pushing the university to increase the wage for custodians to $12 per hour. Staff are currently paid around $10 hourly, which is less than the University of Kansas and among the lowest custodial wages in the Big XII athletic conference.
Union leaders were meeting with campus officials to continue negotiations on Thursday afternoon. Supporters from the community showed up at the encouragement of the Manhattan Alliance for Peace and Justice. Jess Kerr, doctoral student in education, was one of many students and employees who showed her support through signs and chants.
“To be an institution that is cutting edge, that is progressive, we have to take consideration of how we treat and care for the people who are a part of our community,” said Kerr. “That means paying them enough to pay their rent and take care of their families.”
Custodians from the university were at the demonstration to show their support. A janitor by the name of Richard Smith has been employed by the university for eight years, and said he has never seen a raise or cost of living increase. Smith said he would like to know when he will get a raise.
“I’m very unhappy about it,” Smith said. “In my situation, I’ve gotten good reviews every year and even got facility employee of the year once.”
Union leaders and custodians are citing Manhattan’s cost-of-living as a reason for the raise. Additionally, Smith added his insurance deductible has more than doubled, which in turn seems more like a pay cut. Kansas also has one of the highest grocery taxes in the nation.
It is unclear whether the AFT and Kansas State University agreed to terms on Thursday.
