Stanford Students Emerge Victorious After Seven Day Fast

Stanford Students Emerge Victorious After Seven Day Fast; Major
Concessions on Labor Issues Made by University


Stanford Labor Action Coalition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 4, 2003


Palo Alto, CA: The six Stanford Students who had been fasting since
last Wednesday for fairer University labor practices declared victory
late last night after the administration made major concessions to
the student protesters. The students will break their fast in a
public ceremony today at 9 a.m. in White Plaza; at 9:30 a.m. there
will be a press conference detailing the agreement between the
University and the fasters.


Highlights from the agreement include:
- Formation of a University committee involving students and workers
to address labor issues, including living wages, subcontracting and
temporary workers. This is the first University committee to
include workers and students together in the decision-making process.
- Investigation into the case of Victoria Vega, a temporary worker
who was recently fired after she had asked for a permanent position
on campus.
- Support for affordable health care for all Stanford workers,
including the lowest-paid workers on Stanford land at Webb Ranch.


Pressure on the University to address temporary worker issues has
been building since the release of a new study on May 28th outlining
ongoing abuse of temp workers at Stanford.


Sophomore Anna Mumford, one of the fasters, commented on the
victory: "Not only have we fasters emerged personally stronger; but
our entire community has taken significant steps toward fulfilling
the mission of our university. The establishment of a process for a
Code of Conduct in which students, workers, faculty and staff are at
the table signals the movement toward a university that actively
appreciates its community members as equally valuable and important."


The University concessions came after a week of continual pressure on
the administration and growing support for the fasters' demands.
Over 2000 individuals signed the petition supporting the fast, 400
faxes and e-mails were sent to the President's office, and 300
individuals pledged to fast in solidarity for 24 hours. Dolores
Huerta, Jesse Jackson, AFL-CIO Vice President Linda Chavez,
Assemblywoman Elaine Alquist, musical group Ozomatli, Washington
State Congressperson Brian Baird, and Julia Butterfly Hill all
publicly endorsed the fast.


"We're excited by the impact that we've had on Stanford labor policy
but there's more work ahead for us. We're going to do what it takes
to ensure the implementation of the Code of Conduct," said junior
Sofia Lee, a member of Stanford Labor Action Coalition.


EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT:
WHAT: Fast-breaking Ceremony and Press Conference
WHEN: 9:00 am Ceremony
9:30 am Press Conference
WHERE: Stanford University, White Plaza



For more information:
Hai Binh Nguyen
626 290 5896