Living wage
Coalition asks A&M to raise pay for full-time workers
By: Melissa Filbin
Issue date: 4/11/05 Section: News
L.J. Jones hunched over the yellow wall of the MSC bowling alley watching the next generation of Aggies enjoy their Friday night as he has for the past 55 years.
Jones is a 76-year-old mechanic who maintains the bowling alley, and has worked at Texas A&M since 1950.
"There were no women going here when I started," he said. "The Corps were raising Sam when women were allowed."
In 1970, Jones left A&M, making $12 per hour, and was going to find another job during what he called his retirement. The University hired him back after three months because, he said, they could not find another good mechanic.
Thirty-five years later, Jones works part-time, making $7.50 per hour.
"When you come back after being retired, you have to start at the bottom," he said. "I've always had to work two jobs, sometimes three jobs. That's the only way I survive."
Across campus, a Northside custodial worker said she struggles to pay for everyday living expenses such as food, medicine and rent.
"You just have to hope nothing goes wrong," she said. "I have a drawer on the night table that I throw extra change in. That's my savings account. When I'm really broke I go back in there."
In her five years at A&M, this employee said she has taken two sick days and always arrives to work early. She makes $7.23 per hour.
She said she stays at A&M because she loves the people - especially students. She said all the students in the building where she works smile and speak to her.
"They relate to me sort of like I'm a mom," she said. "They're my family, my people. I just love them."
The Living Wage Coalition of the Brazos Valley, a group of students, faculty and community members, has asked A&M to pay its full-time workers a starting wage of $9.79 per hour - the amount (estimated by the coalition) needed to keep workers above the poverty line.
University President Robert M. Gates said he would appoint a task force to look at wages, industry standards and other universities to see if A&M is out of line with what others are paying.
Jones is a 76-year-old mechanic who maintains the bowling alley, and has worked at Texas A&M since 1950.
"There were no women going here when I started," he said. "The Corps were raising Sam when women were allowed."
In 1970, Jones left A&M, making $12 per hour, and was going to find another job during what he called his retirement. The University hired him back after three months because, he said, they could not find another good mechanic.
Thirty-five years later, Jones works part-time, making $7.50 per hour.
"When you come back after being retired, you have to start at the bottom," he said. "I've always had to work two jobs, sometimes three jobs. That's the only way I survive."
Across campus, a Northside custodial worker said she struggles to pay for everyday living expenses such as food, medicine and rent.
"You just have to hope nothing goes wrong," she said. "I have a drawer on the night table that I throw extra change in. That's my savings account. When I'm really broke I go back in there."
In her five years at A&M, this employee said she has taken two sick days and always arrives to work early. She makes $7.23 per hour.
She said she stays at A&M because she loves the people - especially students. She said all the students in the building where she works smile and speak to her.
"They relate to me sort of like I'm a mom," she said. "They're my family, my people. I just love them."
The Living Wage Coalition of the Brazos Valley, a group of students, faculty and community members, has asked A&M to pay its full-time workers a starting wage of $9.79 per hour - the amount (estimated by the coalition) needed to keep workers above the poverty line.
University President Robert M. Gates said he would appoint a task force to look at wages, industry standards and other universities to see if A&M is out of line with what others are paying.
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