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Dear George, On behalf of UVA's Labor Action Group, which was responsible for raising
wages at the University and which belongs to the coalition sponsoring the
Marriott protests, I would 1. Campbell contends that listening to honking horns for two hours once a week is "torture." I would suggest that cleaning bathrooms on a daily basis for wages insufficient to feed one's family is worse. Given the choice between briefly distracting a few people from their well-paid work and dignifying the work of many more by paying them a living wage, it should be obvious to any ethical person which should take precedence. 2. Campbell claims to honor first amendment rights yet calls the distribution of flyers in Virginia Beach and the picketing of the Marriott in Charlottesville acts of "terrorism." Need I point out that all of these actions are non-violent and fully protected by the first amendment? 3. Campbell calls protesters "modern day hippies" whose "boorish behavior" he deplores, as if to suggest they belong to an ill-mannered, out-of-date fringe group. I would note that not only have numerous local politicians (including the mayor) expressed their support for the protests, but that Campbell would not be bothered by continual honking on Fridays were there not widespread feeling that the Marriott and other local businesses should pay a living wage. Campbell, I suggest, is the one with out of touch with the values and priorities of his community. 4. Finally, Campbell makes the familiar claim that paying a living wage will hurt business and hinder attempts to "revitalize" West Main Street. He also asks if other hotels are targeted as well. The answer is yes: the living wage campaign would like all private as well as public employers to pay salaries that people can live on. We believe that no revitalization effort deserves the name if it comes at the expense of the city's poorest citizens. In addition, with more than fifty living wage ordinances passed around the country (and at least seventy more under consideration), there is ample evidence that raising the market rate to $8.00/hour is not bad for business and that, on the contrary, businesses stand to benefit from treating their employees fairly. Thanks, George, for fostering this dialogue. Sincerely, Susan Fraiman (electronic mail, May 28, 2001).
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