Students involved in the Student Worker Alliance (SWA) organization on campus have called their campaign to “Boot the Bell” a victory, despite a relatively low number of students expressing concern about the plight of workers affiliated with the company.
According to SWA member Janine Brito, she was not surprised by the low number of students taking concern with Taco Bell’s relationship with tomato pickers, who formed a political protest group called the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW). The CIW called on Taco Bell to pay more for tomatoes it purchases, maintaining that the low prices keep workers in poverty.
“These results reflect a common apathy on campus,” Brito said. “As an activist I find that attitude disappointing.”
Brito still noted that hopefully students will be more knowledgeable as a result of SWA’s campaign, prompting them to consider the types of companies they patronize and to make sure that these firms treat their workers fairly.
Sophomore SWA member Joe Thomas expressed similar concerns, but he was still willing to call the campaign a success and say that SWA had an influence on student opinions on this issue.
“We’re willing to claim this as a victory,” Thomas said. “It can be difficult to motivate students on campus about broader issues but we think that our campaign made a difference.”
CIW called for a nationwide boycott of Taco Bell, but the boycott was called off last week after Taco Bell agreed to increase the prices it pays for tomatoes.
Brito said that the end of the boycott is a wonderful conclusion to a campaign that has been going on for around five years.
“It’s rare to have victories in labor movements, and this is a big victory nationally,” Brito said. “We’re very proud of CIW and everyone who’s been involved.”
For the “Boot the Bell” campaign, SWA planned a forum in Ursa’s fireside to discuss the plight of the workers. The Taco Bell truth tour also appeared on campus during the campaign.
Taco Bell was reported to have been removed from the WashU Food Court due to a tomato boycott. I believe the students voted them out of Food Court in favor of another restaurant after the successful boycott. When SWA leaders addressed my Freshman Focus Seminar in Autumn 06, they were being blamed by many students for the unavailability of tacos on campus, unfairly, they said. FYI, I also invited the College Libertarians to class, to discuss their economic objections to the living wage and minimum wage.