After a presentation from the Brandeis Labor Coalition (BLC), the Union Senate unanimously passed a resolution April 18 calling for the University to establish a unified philosophy on fair labor practices. "Usually when you pass a resolution about labor it's that you're having difficulties working with the administration," Corey Hope Leaffer '04, a coordinator for BLC, said. "And that's not happening at Brandeis."

Leaffer said the resolution's purpose is to show appreciation for workers at Brandeis, maintain an active policy of social justice, and recognize the administration's cooperation with BLC's initiatives.

"Brandeis has gone from an institution that teaches social justice to one that actively practices it as a business policy," said Evan Pastor '04, another coordinator for BLC.

Members of BLC wrote the resolution before the April break with the aid of fellow BLC member and Union Public Affairs and Communications director Nicole Karlebach '04.

Having met with Associate Vice President for University Services Mark Collins, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Peter French and Associate Vice President for Human Resources and Employee Relations Deb Gratto, BLC members said they were able to work toward building a positive relationship regarding labor issues on campus.

"By creating the resolution we wanted to have a transitory statement that would secure a statement of support that would show the upcoming senate the importance of the issues of fair labor, and also show that there is a large contingency of students on campus working on this issue, as well as administration supporting the issue," Karlebach said.

Pastor '04 emphasized that the resolution also signifies the administration's support for fair labor and social justice in the University's Business Conduct Policy, which establishes operating guidelines.

"[The resolution] demonstrates that this is the first time that the administration has acted cooperatively in labor issues," Pastor said.

Pastor also added that another primary function of the resolution is to hold the administration to its word in upholding fair labor practices.

The resolution also highlights other college campuses across the country participating in similar fair labor initiatives including Wesleyan, University of California-Berkeley, Wellesley, Mount Holyoke, Tufts, Harvard and George Washington univrsities.

"It's good to be a part of a larger thing," Pastor said. "It strengthens your efforts."

Union President Josh Brandfon '05 emphasized that labor has been a key issue in Senate affairs.

"The labor issues on campus have been one of the bigger social justice issues we've taken up this year," Brandfon said. "Having met with the administration, we felt it was an important issue to support.