Appreciating ACSE employees

Rhea Williamson smiled with delight Monday afternoon as she was handed a gift in recognition of 15 years doing "whatever needs to be done" in the School of Architecture.

To honor such workers, several members of the Association of Civil Service Employees' executive committee used vacation time Monday to recognize its constituents.

Williamson was one of the first people to join the Association of Civil Service Employees 30 years ago at a time when she worked in the basement of Morris Library.

Ruth Pommier, union president, said the civil service union, which speaks out for what she says are the lowest paid workers on campus, represents about 450 workers and 155 are union members.

"We are the people who do the grunt work," Pommier said. "We are the most vulnerable employees on campus." Pommier also said the union provides job security and helps workers receive pay raises. In addition, it provides support for workers who file grievances because there is strength in numbers to back up the workers who are being mistreated, she said.

Williamson has received the gifts every year since the union started the appreciation day five years ago. This year's gift was a coffee mug and mouse pad, and gifts like an umbrella and glass candy jars were distributed in past years.

"Even though these gifts are not extravagant, their eyes just light up," Pommier said. "It's like having someone bring a floral arrangement to your office." Union Vice President Al Parr said many of the working members are receptionists, storeroom workers and assistants to directors on campus.

Parr said the workers deal more with students than many of the other workers on campus, such as the University's administration. He said helping the students is a rewarding part of his job. Williamson said she also enjoys working with students.

"It keeps me young," she said. Parr himself works as a storekeeper 2 for the Chemistry and Biochemistry department. He said the union helps make working in such positions more enjoyable.

Pommier said the union is the second largest and one of the oldest on campus. "These are the hardest working, most dedicated workers on campus," Pommier said. "And they are often the lowest paid workers. A little pat on the back occasionally doesn't hurt anyone."