I hope you're sitting down, because what you're about to read may shock you.
As hard as it is to believe, Undergraduate Student Government is taking action that is important, relevant and proactive. We can actually be proud of USG. And if that is not a news story, then I don't know what is.
USG has begun the process of looking into allegations that a sub-contractor hired to work on construction for ASU engages in unjust labor conditions.
This marks an impressive increase in the global awareness of our elected officials and demonstrates a real desire to make ASU a more equitable place for everyone - even those typically ignored by the rest of us.
The main issue is that some workers for the Great Western Erectors claim they are overworked, denied overtime, refused adequate supplies of water and have their right to organize subdued by company threats. Perhaps worst of all, is the issue that many of these workers are illegal immigrants who are afraid to speak up and feel helpless regarding their employment conditions.
ASU's campus is the site of practices I thought died at the turn of the century. Last century.
I don't mean to go on ad nauseum about the deplorable conditions these workers face. I also don't mean to go on about how ASU has a moral prerogative to do something about this problem. All of this, to me, seems quite obvious. The fact that these workers are treated unethically should not be a debatable issue; the evidence is there.
The real question pertains to what our elected representatives are doing about this injustice. And, I'm glad to report, USG is doing its job.
But even more broadly than that, this situation is a tangible example of USG President Yaser Alamoodi making good on his campaign pledge to change the attitude of student government.
Ed Hermes, USG governmental relations director, has taken steps to involve student government in the striking construction workers' struggles to have their demands met, or at least legitimately considered.
Hermes said, "USG is exploring the issue," because tuition and tax dollars go toward this construction project.
Hermes cited concerns about workers' water, wages and an incident in which a foreman used a handgun to stop workers from organizing, as issues of distress.
And as someone who has never had to work construction in the Arizona heat or had a gun pointed at me, I'm inclined to agree with Hermes.
Hermes pledged that USG "cares about where every tuition dollar is going" and to "work with ASU administration to resolve the problem."
As an ASU student and someone who values, at the very least, a minimal amount of human decency, I commend Hermes. And I, as should every student who USG represents, intend to hold USG's feet to the fire on this issue. It's that important.
This problem is much larger than ASU or the specific construction site of the soon-to-be McAllister Academic Village. The deeper problem is the hypocrisy of our society - a society relying upon illegal immigration as a driving force for its economic engine, yet doing little to treat these people fairly and with dignity.
Worst of all, we have employers who exploit these people because they know they are frightened of what could happen if they speak up and make demands.
The problem certainly goes deeper than ASU, but I am ashamed ASU is even a small part of it. And it is about time our student government representatives let it be known: ASU students care about social justice and equality, especially when injustice occurs in our own backyard.
Student government has done the right thing by opening up dialogue with Joseph Larios, an ASU undergraduate coordinating student efforts to oppose these unfair labor practices, including a series of on-campus speeches on Oct. 11.
People like Felipe Hernandez, who has been on strike for three months, need us to tell ASU that we support their cause.
The USG Senate and Alamoodi - whose "Setting the Benchmark for Student Governance" proposal makes key points about the need to raise campus awareness and concern for injustice - need to know we demand and are behind their efforts to address this situation.
Larios, who is deeply involved in this issue, requests "student government put this on the agenda and address the issue," while pushing to "create more awareness among the student body."
I couldn't agree more.
Macy Hanson is a political science and philosophy junior. Reach him at macy.hanson@asu.edu.
