Employee's arrest highlights workers' rights

The arrest of Carolina Dining Services employee Vel Dowdy kicked off workers’ rights week with a spark of controversy.

The issues embedded in the week — nationally recognized as one of action and awareness of workers’ rights issues — have been brewing on campus as Aramark workers strive to unionize.

Aramark is the international service corporation that employs CDS workers.

Dowdy was arrested Friday and charged with felony embezzlement of food at Lenoir Dining Hall, according to University police reports.

The event has incited a large student movement of sympathy for Dowdy, an employee with whom many have formed bonds.

Former student body president candidate Tom Jensen launched a “Save Vel!” campaign Tuesday, contacting students who served on his campaign and members of the Vel Dowdy Fan Club on the online site Thefacebook.

A rally to display public support for Dowdy is scheduled to occur at noon next Monday in the Pit.

Jensen is urging students to spread the word of Dowdy’s arrest and take their complaints to top officials. He urged them to e-mail Ira Simon, director of food and vending services, to voice their concerns. Jensen also suggested boycotting CDS meal plans until Dowdy returns.

“Vel is far and away the most loved employee in the University, and she has a way of brightening up people’s days,” Jensen said. “People really think going to Lenoir wouldn’t be as nice without her there.”

Although students have shown concern for Dowdy’s situation, Jensen said the issue runs deeper.

Dowdy has been a spokeswoman for her co-workers, someone who would voice grievances fellow employees had with Aramark, Jensen said.

Simon did not return calls or e-mails Tuesday and Wednesday. Other administrators with CDS also did not respond.

Dowdy has declined to comment until the conclusion of the case.

Police arrested Dowdy, who had been under investigation for several weeks, after investigating four incidents. She appeared Monday in Orange County District Criminal Court in Hillsborough and is scheduled to be assigned to a public defender today.

Jillian Johnson, a North Carolina student organizer for Service Workers United and a member of Student Action with Workers, said Dowdy is a major proponent of unionization.

“She has been very openly in support of a union,” Johnson said. “I feel this is another attempt by management to intimidate employees against forming a union.”

Jonathan Pourzal, coordinator of SAW, said he thinks Aramark should have dealt with the issue internally.

“It seems like a definite intimidation factor,” he said. “By doing it that way, they’re saying, ‘You know, everyone better watch out — nobody’s safe.’”

Johnson said SAW would support Dowdy and any workers who say they are mistreated. She said this incident could act as a springboard to educate students about unionization and workers’ rights.

Unionization is a means of consensus building among co-workers and is the only way to have a collective voice, Pourzal said. He also stressed that unions serve as a needed unified defensive front.

“Without (unions), there’s no guarantee you’re going to work the next day,” he said. “With low-wage workers, their job controls them. In a union, they can gain some control of their own destiny.”

As part of the national workers’ rights week, SAW is hosting events every day this week to encourage dialogue among students and workers on important issues.

Today, the group will sponsor a roundtable discussion about workers’ rights and unions at 7 p.m. in Alumni Hall.

In preparations for Monday’s rally, the group is encouraging students to make banners and print T-shirts supporting workers’ rights Friday in the Pit.

Pourzal encouraged students to join the rally and has raised concerns to UNC administrators and Aramark about the need for fair treatment and positive change.

Monday’s rally will culminate workers’ rights week.

Johnson said student involvement is critical to the cause.

“It’s important for students to be involved and aware of what’s going on on their campus,” she said. “Students and workers have interests in the same spheres. If we work together, our power is much greater.”

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.