The union representing Columbia University’s custodians says it is preparing to sue the Ivy League school over its handling of anti-Israel protests. During the anti-Israel protests, union members were said to have been targeted by “spoiled” and “cocky” agitators who briefly occupied the campus. building.
TWU International President John Samuelsen told “Fox & Friends” on Thursday that his rank and file were “particularly furious at Colombia for not protecting its workers, especially for trying to keep them in its buildings during the occupation.” “I’m angry at certain protesters who did that.” Hamilton Hall early last week.
“Everyone in the building, all the TWU personnel in the building, were scared, and rightfully so. They stormed in… but two of the custodians had to fight their way out. They clearly said, “You’re here, dear.” This cause is bigger than you,” Samuelsen said. “Imagine…a spoiled, cocky occupant of a building who is kind of cocky, kind of entitled, and comes and says to these blue-collar men and women, ‘ You say, “You’re not going anywhere, you’re staying here because this cause is bigger.” When they have to go home to their families, it’s outrageous and an insult to workers all over the world. ”
“Columbia should never have put a custodian or a security guard in that position, and that’s the crux of the issue,” Samuelsen said. “Colombia has shown gross disregard and has completely failed to protect its workforce.
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A maintenance worker confronts protesters attempting to barricade themselves in Hamilton Hall at Columbia University in New York City on April 30. (Alex Kent/Getty Images)
Although Hamilton Hall was ultimately vacated by the NYPD last Tuesday, TWU announced this week that it was “considering legal action against the university and the occupants of Hamilton Hall.”
In Samuelsen’s letter to Columbia University President Minoush Shafik, the union requested the names of protesters arrested inside Hamilton Hall, surveillance footage of the hostile takeover, and “in the future, the union requesting a meeting with Mr. Shafiq regarding the necessary mitigation measures to avoid harm to personnel. If the protests resume, they will take revenge on the TWU members who were subjected to this despicable act. ”
“The TWU security guard, an African American woman, managed to exit the building before the barricades were erected,” he continued. “But she is still reeling from an encounter with Occupy protesters (also known as Children of Privilege) who attacked her with her words in a very aggressive and very unpleasant manner.
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When chaos erupted at Columbia University, staff members reportedly pushed an anti-Israel demonstrator against a wall. (Alex Kent/Getty Images)
“President Shafik, imagine for a moment that you are in the shoes of a blue-collar janitor or security guard. They come to work to earn a day’s pay to take care of their families, but… She ended up being held against her will in a concentration camp, where she was physically and verbally abused,” Samuelsen wrote. “Imagine coming to work and being the victim of a serious crime because Columbia University did not care enough about you to take common-sense safeguards.”
On April 30, New York City police detained dozens of anti-Israel protesters who barricaded themselves in the Hamilton Hall building at Columbia University. (Selcuk Achar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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Columbia University did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter from Fox News Digital on Thursday morning.
