Newspapers depend on recognizable sources for their stories. Recently, one person felt the need to speak to us
anonymously. The source spoke for the article about the Aramark labour issue.
It featured quotes and names from the laid-off union organizers and Aramark management.
This source refused to give us their name out of fear for the repercussions they thought they would suffer from any pro-union Aramark co-workers who might feel betrayed by descriptions of relentless union organizers.
On May 12, campus security was called to the Charlatan newsroom.
They came to request we not run a photo taken 10 minutes prior, featuring Starbucks in the background.
What followed was a conversation about media law with the officers.
It was discovered that security had been called by a Starbucks employee.
Starbucks had a policy against photography in their stores, and the employee was concerned about possible repercussions.
According to campus safety officers, the employee was quite distraught.Both sides in the union dispute have created an unhealthy environment on campus.
This is an environment which has extended out of the Aramark kitchens and poured onto the Atrium floor. It’s not fair to the students caught in the middle who are just trying to get a paycheque.
An employee should not be scared enough to call security, nor should someone feel so much fear that they can’t give out their name.
At this point, there is no solution to be found through further confrontation on campus.
Union organizers and Aramark need to go to court or find a mediator before the weight of this confrontation can be lifted off the shoulders of Aramark’s employees on campus.