Protesters revile IU layoffs

The Sample Gates became a venue for public protest Wednesday as students, faculty and concerned citizens gathered to discuss the 50 Physical Plant employees who, at the end of this month, will no longer be employed by IU.

They gathered to discuss desired solutions and actions that could be taken to make their voices heard by the University. Stemming from IU’s announcement that thousands of part-time employees would see hours reduced in order to avoid additional health care cost in accordance to the Affordable Care Act, the protesters gave a general sense of caring and concern for the Physical Plant employees.

Stephanie Kane, an international affairs professor, said although she is not directly being affected by the cut in hours, she works everyday with Physical Plant workers and she appreciates the job they do.  She said she thinks everyone should be concerned, not only because she cares about the staff and what they are doing, but because she cares about how the University works and whether people can have good lives when they work here.

“It’s a question of what kind of place we want to study in and what kind of place we want to work in,” Kane said to the crowd. “Do you want to have a place that doesn’t provide health care? Do you want to work for a university that takes its most vulnerable as a starting point for cutting off every body’s health care? This is exactly what Obamacare was supposed to help.”

As more protestors gave personal reasons for why they were there, the discussion quickly turned to taking action. The group wanted their voice heard and it didn’t take long before they decided to occupy Bryan Hall.

Grabbing their signs and flyers, the group filed into the back of the administration building where police were already waiting. Taking to the second floor outside President McRobbie’s office and the Office for the Vice President for Capital Planning and Facilities, they asked to speak with members of the University administration.

Police are preventing protestors from entering any offices, and they were told members of the administration would not be available to speak with them. They were allowed to enter the lobby outside McRobbie’s office, but only his secretary was there to speak with them. They were told they could make an appointment, but the person who schedules those appointments was not in the office. What started as a discussion at Sample Gates has now turned to a sit-in outside administration offices.

This story will be updated.