The UA has its own student-led labor union to support student employees of the university’s two student unions.

Now in its second semester, the Arizona Student Unions Student Human Resources committee, or SHR, is available for the 500 students who work at either the Student Union Memorial Center or the Park Student Union to share work-related concerns, information and advice, said Jessica Stoelting, a SHR coordinator and a speech, language and hearing sciences sophomore.

“”The idea behind the committee is students know other students best,”” Stoelting said. “”The goal is to address the needs and concerns of the student work force … who work a large variety of jobs.””

The six-member SHR developed out of the Unions Professional Internship Program, a two-course educational leadership program that trains student employees to become leaders in their respective areas, Stoelting said.

“”The development of a student-run HR committee was created to meet the needs of the growing student workforce within the union,”” Stoelting said. “”Students can recruit, train, retain and evaluate other students better and more efficiently.””

Members meet in a weekly committee, in which they each act as liaisons for supervisors, directors and employees, Stoelting said.

The group also uses research and analysis to increase the unions’ effectiveness.

“”Some of our current projects include the development of an online application system, Web-based training manuals and opportunities, and a student employee survey that will be used to create better retention and recognition programs,”” Stoelting said.

Amber Brown, a sociology freshman and Gallagher Theater employee, said she had never heard of the SHR and did not know if it was necessary to have.

“”I’m pretty settled in my job,”” Brown said. “”I have a cool manager, and I like the people I work with, so I’m planning to come back and work here as long as I can.””

Brown said

she works about 20 hours per week, but can do homework while not selling tickets. She also believes she gets paid enough.

“”Overall, I’m happy with my job,”” Brown said. “”But I don’t know how the other workers deal with the high traffic at the union, especially at some of the food places that are constantly busy. I just couldn’t work in a place like that.””

Jesse Pattison, an accounting sophomore and a Papa John’s employee at the SUMC, deals with this “”high traffic”” each day he goes to work.

“”It’s a really easy job, and they are good about scheduling me when I want,”” Pattison said. “”I get free pizza and it’s pretty chill, so the job’s not too bad.””

Despite the free food, Pattison said he thinks he should be making more money.

“”I’m from California, where the minimum wage is higher, so this (salary) feels really low,”” he said. “”I don’t work too hard, but I still feel like I should be getting paid more.””

Pattison said he hopes to use Papa John’s as a reference for further jobs and will probably continue working there next semester.

“”They are accommodating, so I’m pretty satisfied here,”” he added.

Stoelting said the SHR hopes to continue increasing job satisfaction for and retention of workers like Brown and Pattison.

Students interested in becoming involved in the SHR as liaisons or members of a subcommittee should e-mail unionshr@email.arizona.edu for more information.