Full Chicago Conference Reflections
Alan Camacho, food service worker, DePaul University:
“I had a great time. I thought that it was very positive. Hearing how the students really wanted to help the workers out made me feel invigorated with a new sense of determination. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers presentation really made me think about the connection between us making the food and the workers who make everything we do in the kitchen possible. I feel like there is a bright future ahead and hope to get in contact with anyone who is sympathetic to the fight.”
Luis Brennan, student, University of Chicago:
"The Stir It Up conference went a long way to building the kinds of relationships across campuses and across movements that is so important to bring our struggles forward. So often I feel like my work on campus is all that matters and at the same time something that doesn't matter at all. At the conference however I got a chance to meet workers, fellow students and organizers on equal footing and build real relationships that shows me that my work is part of something bigger. Going back my campus I have a renewed sense that I'm not alone, and that together we can win."
Chanteen Hardway, food service worker, DePaul University:
“I had a very good time at the conference. It felt really good to get things off my chest about my working environment. I was very pleased at how the students actually cared and listened to what the employees had to say. Overall it was a very intense day and I would love to do it again. I took in a lot of great information and also gave a lot of information. The conference with the students was one of the best times of this year. I’m looking forward to doing it again.”
Abbey Schumacher, student, DePaul University:
“I was humbled by the extent to which the workers' testimonies at the conference valued not only students' presence within and alongside their struggles as food service workers and union members, but also their relationships with students in general. Many expressed a real sense of gratitude, pride, and love for their jobs and their relationships with students. Many clearly communicated the idea that student and worker movements are one and the same, intimately bound to one another by the mere fact that students will one day be workers too, and indeed many currently are. The general sentiment was intimacy, a real sense of responsibility and commitment to one another as human beings. Our struggles are just as much our own as they are everyone's. I was both humbled and engaged by the workers' testimonies, and look forward to deepening my relationship with this community, and committing myself more fully to the union.”
Ana Prillaman, barista, DePaul University:
“The turnout by itself was remarkable and inspiring, but the key thing for me to experience was dialogue with students – sharing my personal experiences and listening to their responses, it was supremely awesome to realize the mutual concern that the DePaul students have for us and to sense their motivation in bettering our situation. And to see this exchange happening not only with DePaul but also other campus representatives – well, totally rad! The next conference looks to be on the same level of energy and will definitely be a progressive step to changing things at DePaul.”
Nathan Arnold, food service worker, DePaul University:
“The meeting last week with DePaul students was most interesting. I saw that most of the students were very compassionate about the concerns of the union worker of Chartwells. They listened attentively and offered great suggestions on how they would help us with our problems. I left feeling great to know that these people understood what we are going through and are willing to do all that they can to help us.”
