Due process must be carried out more consistently

I am very concerned that at this University, a place that I really have come to love, it seems to take 60 people sitting in the president's office just to get due process each time an employee is fired.

For all our talk about Duke-Durham relations, when the administration allows the firing of an employee without due process for appeal and refuses to move even after testimony from six housekeepers and a letter of support from Duke basketball staff, it sends the message that the largest employer in Durham is interested in high turnover to reduce labor costs at the expense of the welfare of the surrounding community.

It seems that the university channels are broken. I am aware that the people involved with this case are taking it to the local press, and there was already an article in The Chronicle.

I urge the administration to move on this case to obtain due process for Johnny Hudson by establishing an immediate review panel to examine his appeal.

I also urge the administration to work with Durham CAN, Duke Organizing, and Union 77 to establish a public grievance process for employees during the probationary period.

Finally, I really love Duke basketball and Cameron. Knowing that the University refuses to enforce proper and fair management of the facility puts quite a damper on that enthusiasm, which is a shame considering it's my last semester here.

Emily Antoon

Trinity '06