Their voices are loud and their demands are clear.
“Hard work deserves a fair wage and that’s pretty much all there is to it,” said Binghamton University student Serena Tesler.
Students held a rally on Tuesday to demand higher wages for Sodexo workers at the school.
“We need to put pressure on Sodexo, which is a multi-billion dollar corporation,” said student Jonathan Taubes.
Almost all of the food on campus is prepared, cooked and served by Sodexo workers. On average, they earn $12,000 a year.
“You cannot raise a family on that, and many of them depend on meager government assistance to get by,” said Taubes.
“I can barely afford my rent,” said worker Thomas Klensk.
Klensk says he’s frustrated that Sodexo has rejected union proposals for higher wages and better benefits. But he doesn’t want to leave the university.
“We all want to be here," he continued. "We all care about this campus very much. And it’s just important that we all be treated fairly and justly."
Students say they have high hopes for this rally, and for rallies to come.
“No one should be living in poverty," said Tesler. "I hope students actually are inspired by us and see that our [voices] can make a difference.”
Bargaining sessions have been scheduled for later this month between Sodexo and the union that represents its workers. The university is hopeful the parties can reach an agreement.