Support staff members call for higher raises

The union for the IU-Bloomington support staff held a press conference at noon Friday at the Sample Gates to publicize the plight for salary raises. Union leader Peter Kaczmarczyk read a prepared speech voicing the group's concerns.

"Staff salaries have slipped further and further behind inflation," Kaczmarczyk said.

He later said, "It's not just a matter of falling behind. It's a matter of falling off."

Kaczmarczyk noted the bad economic times but said IU is in better financial state than other institutions. He said IU has the money and simply needs to decide how to spend it.

"Wages before buildings, no ifs, ands or buts," Kaczmarczyk said.

Two other support staff members, Cheryl Haium and Bryce Smedley, spoke, while employees stood behind them holding signs that read "our families need your support" and "wages before buildings."