A Thankless but Necessary Job

Brenda Buck, a custodian for Indiana University South Bend and Vice President of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union (AFSCME) joins us on the podcast today. “As a custodian you’re always on the move, you’re not sitting at a desk all day. Some people are kind and considerate, but others either don’t notice you or pretend not to notice you and can be very inconsiderate. It’s a thankless job but it has to be done.” Brenda has continued to perform her job duties through the pandemic in order to get campus buildings prepared for the return of students. She shares that they have upped the amount of cleanings they do each day, and are worried about the increased exposure to harsh chemicals as a result. Dan and Brenda discuss what potential lasting policy changes towards advancing the common good for essential workers might look like.

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About the Podcast:

Speaking of Dignity is a podcast dedicated to listening to the voices of those workers whose labor we recognize as essential but who rarely get an opportunity to share their experiences, expertise, and insights. Our aim is to move toward recognition of the most vulnerable in the working world and expand our imagination of the common good.

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