Read on Twitter
ResStaff Building Representatives were just in a meeting with Rick Gibson, Director of Housing. Going into this, we thought we were heading into negotiations on our demands. We were excited. Rick directly and explicitly threatened to fire us. (1/6)
First, he began by discussing employment. (These are not direct quotes, as we did not record this meeting.) The gist was: “If you do not return to work there will be consequences. You are not doing the job you were hired to do.” (2/6)
This comment greatly alarmed ResStaff on this call. When we asked for clarification, Rick responded: "I’m not threatening you. I just need people to do the job they were hired to do. For example, if I was not doing my job, I would expect to be fired.” (3/6)
Further alarmed, ResStaff clarified directly with Rick and told him that we were hearing direct threats to our employment, something Housing promised they would not do. Rick remained silent, but nodded. His message came across clearly. (4/6)
Again, Rick Gibson is the Director of University of Michigan Housing. Housing has repeatedly stated retaliation is 'unacceptable'. Yet they are directly threatening us, in meeting we thought was for collaboration. This goes back on everything UM has said to ResStaff so far. (5/6)
These are our homes. We have been brought back to a campus where people are getting sick and we are being told 'shut up or get fired'. We are only trying to help our community. This is unacceptable from the University of Michigan against their own students. (6/6)
