Protesters toured North Carolina on Monday as a part of the #TalkUnion tour, which stopped in Raleigh, Greensboro and Charlotte. Union leaders and civil rights leaders marched to advocate the importance of labor unions.
The marches were meant to call attention to the state’s diminishing labor force as well as the shockingly low salaries that plague many full-time workers.
But these marches should not have been necessary. At their core, they are symptomatic of a General Assembly that does not value its workers—namely, our teachers.
So, though Labor Day has passed, the Tec nician would like to extend a thank you to our work force. With that, we urge that no one forget those who want to work, but cannot, or the laborers who make university-life so manageable. It’s possible and, in fact, likely that many of us did not even consider—however we spent the day of leisure—all of the hard workers who have contributed to improving our experience at NC State.
The Technician wants to recognize all of University Dining staff, custodians, maintenance crew, professors and deans, the student employees, advisors, and everyone else who works behind the scenes and on the front lines to ensure students’ success.
Additionally, we must hold our General Assembly accountable for the poor job market. Though it would seem (due to North Carolina’s rising employment in the service) the reality is that many of these workers are overqualified and underpaid.
As elections for the General Assembly approach, we must keep in mind the future of our own professions, as well as those who have helped us along our way. We must be aware and critical of those who have worked against our workers.