Athletic Director Don Hunsinger has ordered drastic cuts to be made to the hours of all non-College student part-time workers at Philips Gym. According to Hunsinger, the addition of baseball coach Eric Lahetta to the full time staff has eliminated the need for part time workers.
Dean of the College Clayton Koppes said close to twenty workers will be affected.
The affected workers organized a demonstration today to protest Hunsinger's decision. An unsigned flier advertising the protest read, "These workers are being made to pay with their jobs for irresponsible management of resources, and are not even given the decency of fair notice."
"I came into work on Monday and was given a letter from Hunsinger that I was to be terminated the next day," said one 11-year veteran of Philips. "I wasn't given any notice. I had no idea."
"Why does it matter?" Hunsinger asked rhetorically. "They're not students."
The corps of part time workers is made up primarily of local high school students. Although they work most during summer, breaks and holidays, they also work during the school year. The workers' responsibilities include manning the desk, lifeguarding and supervising the weight room.
"We do odd jobs," worker Jolie Thomas said. "When students don't come to work, they call us."
"If you look at the open hours, you'll see our names all over it," worker Caleb Miller said.
The part time workers will be allowed to continue working during the summer, breaks and holidays. They will no longer work during the regular school year.
Hunsinger said that if new people had to be hired, he would hire college students. The College students currently employed by Philips will not be affected by the recent round of cutbacks.
"I feel for the people who were laid off, but it does give college students a better opportunity for jobs," Lahetta said. "There are plenty of students out there looking for work. Without college students, there would be no rec center. It's unfortunate that it has to happen, but I think it's going to benefit the students a little bit."
According to workers who wished to remain anonymous, Hunsinger accommodated Lahetta by allowing him to work 40 hours a week prior to his promotion. The worker said this arrangement put the department over budget. Koppes said he could not comment.
Koppes said he understood consolidating part time positions in the new full time position held by Lahetta would provide better supervision at Philips.
"Our goal with Eric Lahetta was to provide a new and popular baseball coach once Todd Mooney resigned and better supervision at Philips Gym," Koppes said. "I don't think it's any secret that overall supervision at Philips hasn't been what we want."
"I was given a great opportunity by the College and I wanted to take advantage of it and make the best of it," Lahetta said.
Koppes said, "In order to accommodate the budget, we had to consolidate some part time positions in Eric's position, but I did not expect that all part time positions would have to be abolished. I'm looking into the question of how many positions needed to be consolidated."
On Feb.5, Director of the Recreation Center Jeff White was told to notify the workers of their termination. White said he tried to the last moment to find an alternative to laying them off. "I know the amount of money allotted hasn't been enough to fund all the positions," White said. "The memo I received said they will be able to work on vacations and holidays."
Some of the workers claimed they have not yet been notified of their termination, but have heard about it informally from others. The workers, who are generally subs for students and desk workers, are non-union and therefore are not protected by contract.
"They should have been told," Hunsinger said. "I told Jeff about it as soon as it happened."
"I was hoping I could come up with an alternative plan, but that hasn't transpired," White said. According to White, the delay in making the final decision led to the delay in informing the workers of their termination. "We're between a rock and a hard place. We had no choice but to do something," White said.
"If they want to cut back, all of us would be willing to understand," one worker said. "This decision was made without regard to what consequences would occur."
Koppes said he is looking into the situation. Koppes plans to meet with the workers and hear their concerns.
"I was surprised to see this notification at this time," Koppes said. "In both timing and scope, I was surprised. Such abrupt notification is not college policy and will be reviewed."
Waiting for the Don: After hours for workers were cut, Matt Bourque and others stood outside of Philips in protest. (photo by Laren Rusin)
Copyright © 1998, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 126, Number 14, February 13, 1998
Contact us with your comments and suggestions.