Awkward Murtha

At the Community Meeting for the new building on 65 5th Avenue today, I asked whether New School would live up to it's charter as a socially just institution and pay it's laborers a fair wage, allow them to unionize and follow environmental and health codes. I gave an overview of how the current construction workers for the new dorm, Booth, are underpaid by their employer, New York Insulation, and forced to follow a procedure called 'ripping and skipping', which releases hazardous asbestos into the environment. We have been working with the Laborers 78 Union to rectify the injustice, and are concerned that the new building will also be constructed through corrupt and even illegal methods.

Vice President Jim Murtha: "We... uh... won't break any laws..."
Me: "We already have. The New School has a reputation as a socially just institution. Treat our workers right!!"

Then I walked out. The Security Guard, who normally harasses me for not having an ID, shot me a huge smile as I left Tishman.