Bishop to President

Here is the text of a letter by the Rev. James Ottley, assistant bishop, diocese of Southeast Florida, published in today's Miami Herald:

I join my voice with my colleague in ministry, Bishop Felipe de Jesús Estévez of the Archdiocese of Miami, who on March 5 publicly called upon University of Miami President Donna Shalala and the Service Employees International Union leadership to find a peaceful solution to the labor struggle at UM.

UM janitors, who daily compromise their health but have no health insurance, have found their collective voice to urge UM to end the despicable treatment they have endured. Our entire community knows that UM has a bountiful table and is able to set a proper place for the janitors.

While the union has expressed agreement to meet, there is nothing but a chilling silence from Shalala. I invite her to call me or Bishop Estévez to end the silence and to end the oppression.

THE REV. JAMES H. OTTLEY, assistant bishop, Diocese of Southeast Florida, and president, South Florida Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice, Miami