Pomona College is under fire for terminating Frary Dining Hall cook and union leader Rolando “Rolo” Araiza last Thursday after 21 years of employment, months before a new union contract is due in June. Students and workers are campaigning for Arazia to be reinstated under claims that Pomona’s decision was influenced by his involvement with workers unions.
Araiza’s involvement in the workers’ rights movement and organizing for Unite Here Local 11 inspired the Claremont Student Worker Alliance (CSWA) to petition for Araiza’s return to work.
“At a time when our immigrant community members and the working class at large are under attack we cannot allow this blatant union busting to stand,” the petition read. “Rolo has been fighting for his coworkers and our community for years, and now it is our turn to fight for him. We demand that Rolo be reinstated to his job immediately!”
In an email to TSL, Pomona denied any connection between employment decisions and union organizing. They declined to specifically comment on Araiza’s termination.
“As a general practice, the college does not comment on the details of individual personnel actions. However, we can assure you that the college does not make employment decisions based on any employees’ support for or against any union or any role or position they may hold in a union,” the email read. “We remain committed to maintaining a fair, respectful, and professional workplace for all Dining Services employees.”
Pomona’s history of workers’ rights disputes, including the termination of 17 undocumented employees in 2011, has led students to further question the motives of Araiza’s termination.
In an interview with TSL, Araiza said he believes he was terminated for his role as union leader.
“They’re anti-union,” Araiza said. “Whether they say ‘no, we’re not,’ I know what it is, and we’re gonna keep on fighting.”
Araiza said he had faced previous issues with promotion, presumably due to his role in the union. Now, he is filing a grievance against Pomona’s decision to terminate him.
“The college finds some kind of reason to try to protest against the union and anything that they try to do,” he said.
Elias Pluecker PO ’28, a member of CSWA’s Pomona branch, said the organization has a firm stance on Araiza’s termination.
“This is clearly, to us, a result of Rolo’s role in the union,” Pleucker said.
Pluecker said Araiza plays a key role in supporting the union contract, which will enter renegotiations on June 30.
“Firing him now is no coincidence,” Pluecker said. “They’re trying to weaken the union as much as they can in the build-up to the contract fight this summer and into the fall.”
Araiza believes that even though he won’t work on campus, the fight for the new union contract will continue.
“At the end of the day, we’re still gonna get organized to get ready for contract negotiations,” Araiza said. “I don’t think this affects anything. I think it makes it even better, because people can unite and actually understand why the college is doing what they’re doing.”
“At the end of the day, we’re still gonna get organized to get ready for contract negotiations,” he said. “I don’t think this affects anything. I think it makes it even better, because people can unite and actually understand why the college is doing what they’re doing.”
Araiza described Pomona’s decision as heartbreaking, as he has served the college for over 20 years.
“How do I tell my family?” he said. “How do I tell my peers? How do I, you know? I mean I’ve been the bread maker at my house and providing for my house.”
He said that although the situation is frustrating, he will continue to push back against the decision and Pomona’s treatment of union workers.
“I’m gonna keep my head up high, keep on fighting,” he said. “Because I understand what it is. I understand because I’m a leader, they’re trying to get rid of me, and we’re not gonna have that happen.”
CSWA is asking students to sign their petition to reinstate Araiza.
“Rolo has sacrificed a lot for us,” Pluecker said. “He’s stood up for students in the past, he’s put himself on the line for students personally in the past, and it is now our duty to stand up for him and to put in a little work on his behalf.”