Faculty Club workers protest

The employees of the University Faculty Club, in danger of losing their jobs as a result of a business venture between the University and DoubleTree Hotels, may soon have the support of Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell. "I'm going to speak to the union head tomorrow," Rendell told The Daily Pennsylvanian last night from his courtside seats during the Penn-St. Joseph's basketball game at the Palestra. Rendell, a Penn alum who frequently attends Quakers basketball games, told the workers last night that he supports them and will "look into" the situation, according to union member Robert Bosworth. Thirty-five workers currently employed by the University will be laid off this summer when the Faculty Club moves across the street to become part of the soon-to-be-completed Inn at Penn at Sansom Common. Between 10 and 20 members of Union Local 274, which represents the 35 Faculty Club employees, stood outside the Palestra before the game --Ewhich Penn won 66-58 -- handing out leaflets about the University's plans and appealing to the more than 7,700 fans for help. Penn officials offered the union a one-year contract last fall to provide severance packages and a guarantee that all current employees could interview with DoubleTree management for equivalent jobs. The union refused that offer by saying that the jobs are not equivalent because as employees of DoubleTree, they would lose their tuition benefits at the University and other fringe benefits. The flyer, entitled "U of P Elite Trying to Put Workers In the Street," asked fans to call the Faculty Club and protest the University's "socially corrupt" activities. Workers also held banners during the game with slogans such as "U of P -- Bad Call Ejecting Faculty Club Workers." Union members at the game said they were hopeful their efforts would be successful. "[The fans] are mostly working people, too, so they'll understand," said Mickey Drakely, who works at the Faculty Club. "The majority of the people are reading [the flyers] and their conscience will make them call," said Murphy.