Jose Soto, a University of Florida gradate student, argues in favor of the Student Senate resolution calling on Aramark to work with the CIW to improve wages and working conditions in Florida’s tomato fields. The resolution passed 57-19.

Student government resolutions call on foodservice providers to work with CIW for Fair Food!…

The past month has been a whirlwind not only for workers in Immokalee but also for their student allies across the country who are spearheading the “Dine with Dignity” campaign. Here are some of the highlights:

• Last night, after a weeks-long campus debate, the Student Senate at Washington University in St. Louis passed a resolution calling on Aramark to follow the lead of the students’ other foodservice provider, Bon Appetit, and enter into an agreement with the CIW.
• On November 20, the Student Advisory Committee to the Auraria Board — which represents students from UC Denver, Metro State, and the Community College of Denver — passed a resolution calling on Sodexo to enter into an agreement with the CIW.
• And on October 27, the University of Florida Student Senate passed a resolution calling on Aramark to enter into an agreement with the CIW. Here’s an excerpt from the Gainesville Sun article, “Student Senate passes resolution supporting farm workers” (10/27/09):

“We have an option tonight to boldly say to Aramark that UF wants to be the starting point to this change and fight for justice,” said Dave Schneider, former senator and primary author of the resolution.

About 20 students and alumni came to show their support for the resolution, asking the Senate to vote yes.

During a five-minute presentation, resolution supporter Jose Soto noted that a penny is worth almost nothing monetarily while a pound of tomatoes is about 28 slices.

“You represent me,” Soto said about the wage increase. “Don’t denigrate my dignity by valuing it lower than 1/28 of a slice of tomato.”

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Click here for the rest of the campus round-up!