Letter: The price workers pay for no student benefit

Every morning, as I rush out for my 8:30 class, I’m greeted by Tim and Martha, the housekeepers for my dorm. Every morning, those "hello"s and "how are you"s jumpstart my day and I’m consoled by the comforting smile of a familiar face.

In September of 2018, The Chronicle published an ​article​ discussing changes to the hours of housekeeping staff. When I say I see Tim and Martha every morning, I mean every morning. They now work seven consecutive days every other week. Consequently, a student petition, which has now gained over 1,000 signatures, was issued, calling for the housekeepers to return to their previous Monday-Friday schedule. Nevertheless, Duke’s attention has been drawn elsewhere, and our housekeeping staff are still suffering under the consequences of such an ineffective schedule change.

From taking out the rotten fruit that stayed in a dormitory fridge too long, to cleaning up old coffee, to getting out the smell of last night’s puke, the employees work exceptionally hard to maintain cleanly spaces for us to live in. And yet, the ramifications of the past six months have fallen through the cracks in our institutional memory.

I hope that Duke students care enough to continue to be frustrated at the injustice done against the employees that look after them, who should be watching their kids, spending time with their families, and going to church rather than taking out the trash on a Sunday. I hope we continue to fight for an institutionalization of programs that promote appreciation, community, and discussion among students, administration and employees. Undeniably, HRL’s persistence in implementing the new schedule, despite the harm it has inflicted on staff, exposes the institution’s contemptuous treatment of its employees. 

President Price, I urge you to hold HRL accountable for working towards an effective, appropriate schedule. If you speak to any student, it is apparent how the new schedule has resulted in no liveable improvements for us. On the other hand, if you speak to any housekeeping staff, it is apparent how the new schedule has hurt their lives. Housekeeping staff make students feel part of the Duke community, and it is time to treat them like they’re a part of it too. 

Hadeel Hamoud is a Trinity first-year and a member of Duke Students and Workers Alliance (DSWA).