Resolution 09-04 Concerning University Housekeepers Having No Break Areas

Resolution of the Employee Forum

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

May 6, 2009

WHEREAS the Mission of the Employee Forum is to constructively address the concerns of the Employees of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, including the presentation of staff concerns to University officials, University General Administration, and the citizenry of North Carolina; and,

WHEREAS the Forum has learned that not all housekeepers in all work zones or units around campus have appropriate space of their own to take work or meal breaks; and

WHEREAS the Forum has learned that a “minimal break area” for the housekeepers who do have break areas includes a place to sit with a minimum of four chairs, a table, a refrigerator, and a microwave oven; and,

WHEREAS these University employees who have no “official” break area of their own have been consequently told to take their breaks “out of sight”; and,

WHEREAS these same housekeepers have been forbidden to use any of their zones’ students’ “common areas” for breaks, or any of Maintenance’s break rooms; and,

WHEREAS housekeepers have also been forbidden to continue to take their breaks in their zone’s work closets or storage rooms “because of the chemicals” that are stored in these rooms; and,

WHEREAS these same employees are consequently expected to take their two daily breaks standing outside—in all weather—or, if their car is parked closely enough, sitting in their car; and,

WHEREAS the Forum has also learned that some housekeepers have been told, apparently, that there is no University rule that says they must get breaks, and were told this in such a way that these housekeepers feel that they have been told that they could lose their work breaks if they “complain” about not having a break room or area; and,

WHEREAS the Forum believes that the suggested “solution,” that someone in Facilities will pick up the housekeepers at their work sites to convey them by car to a different area on campus—where they may take a 15 minute break, then be conveyed by car back to their work sites—is counterproductive and a waste of all these employees’ work time, as well as a waste of gas; and,

WHEREAS the Forum believes that this type of treatment of any of the University’s employees is inappropriate and goes against the University’s general policies of fair and equal treatment for all its employees; therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED that the Forum respectfully requests the Chancellor to direct that for Facilities Services’ work zones/units that have no specific, dedicated break areas within a reasonable walking distance, that Facilities Services immediately create and provide suitable, dedicated break areas for all of its employees, or that Facilities Services arranges a suitable agreement for their break-room–less employees to be permitted access to and use of at least one “common area” in those employees’ work zones; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Forum respectfully requests that as part of the above directive there be assurances made by Facilities Services’ management that under no circumstances will any of their employees be denied the time or opportunity to take their two work breaks of 15 minutes during each eight-hour work shift, as per official University policy.

To be signed on behalf of the Employee Forum

Tommy Griffin, Chair