Graveyard Shift Gets Buried

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA

The University of Florida in Gainesville tried to bury more than 200 custodians in the graveyard shift, but instead, AFSCME Local 3340 laid to rest the school’s ill-conceived plans.

“Fight the Night Shaft” became the union’s rallying cry as members fought what appeared to be an attempt to hide from view a hard-working group of mostly elderly black women. “They thought the custodians wouldn’t have any way of stopping this,” says Alberta Hopkins, acting president of Local 3340. “They really thought they could get away with it.”

But university Pres. Charles Young and his administrators didn’t count on the tenacity of the local, which represents nearly 6,000 university support personnel. At the union’s request, the faculty senate appointed a task force. It recommended postponing the planned change pending a study of workers who had been transferred to the graveyard shift two years ago.

University officials ignored the senate’s advice, however. In August, they sent 40 custodians to the graveyard shift (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) in a phased transition. The union, meanwhile, had enlisted community support through flyers, petitions and the news media. Most importantly, the union got help from local lawmakers, students and the NAACP. In October, at its second meeting, the review committee urged the administration to return the workers to the day shift until the night shift study has been completed. This time, the officials agreed.

“The union played a big part” in changing their attitude, says Hopkins. “But if it weren’t for the students and faculty — and the support of the NAACP and other organizations — we wouldn’t have stood a chance.” One lesson: community support is very important.

As a result of the publicity, the custodians will also receive a hike in their minimum wage, from about $6.50 an hour to $8, by next December.