Blair Fenning
As a desktop support manager of information technology at the University of Maine in Farmington, I’ve witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of inflation on my family.
With a child battling cancer, the rising cost of everything from groceries to medical care has become a daily struggle for families like mine, and it’s heartbreaking.
My three-year-old son, Blair, was diagnosed with cancer last year. But cancer isn’t our only battle — it’s the soaring cost of living. The rising cost of food has made it nearly impossible to ensure that Blair receives the proper nutrition he needs to stay strong. We’ve had to compromise on the quality of food we buy, a deeply painful reality for any parent.
Every trip to the grocery store is a reminder that we’re having to make choices we shouldn’t have to make — between our budget and our son’s health.
Energy costs have also hit us hard. We rely on electricity, oil and wood to heat our home, and the increases in prices over the past few years have forced us into tough decisions. Add to that the constant driving to Blair’s medical appointments, and the wear and tear on our car adds up quickly.
Repairs that used to be manageable are now a major financial burden. Inflation touches everything, and it makes an already stressful time feel even more overwhelming.
Despite a recent promotion and pay increase, my family is still struggling. Wages at the university simply aren’t keeping up with the cost of living, making it difficult for me to provide for my family.
I also feel robbed of the ability to give my children the experiences they deserve. Blair’s illness already limits what we can do as a family, but inflation has made it worse. Simple outings or activities, which used to bring joy and relief, are now out of reach. We’ve had to say “no” far more often than we’d like. As parents, we’re forced into situations where we have to constantly deny them the experiences that help make childhood special.
At the university, the effects of inflation are just as clear. As a manager, I see the challenges of hiring and retaining talent. The wages we offer at UMF aren’t competitive, so we aren’t able to attract the candidates we need. In fact, during one of Blair’s chemo treatments, I stopped at a nearby McDonald’s and saw their starting wages — shockingly close to what we offer for entry-level IT positions. How can we build a thriving team when we can’t offer wages that match the competition?
I stay at UMF because I care about this community and the work we do. But my loyalty to the university doesn’t change the fact that my family is struggling. Despite my increased responsibilities and my loyalty, I have less financial security now than I did just a few years ago. The rising cost of living has swallowed up any gains I’ve made in my salary. This is the reality for many families right now.
Yet my colleagues and I have been working on an expired contract since July 1, only adding stress to our financial strain. We need wages at the University of Maine System that reflect the world we’re living in.
Families like mine are being squeezed. A fair cost-of-living adjustment is about more than numbers — it’s about survival. It’s about giving families the chance to breathe, to plan for the future, and to live without constant financial stress. It’s about showing our dedicated University of Maine System staff respect for the critical roles in preparing Maine’s future workforce.
Inflation has left us with less, but UMS has the opportunity to step up and provide us with fair wages. Giving us back what we’ve lost — hope.
For the sake of our families and our future, it’s time to take meaningful steps toward supporting the workers who keep our community strong.
Blair Fenning of Farmington is manager of desktop support services for the University of Maine at Farmington’s Information Technology Department. His views are his own and do not represent UMS.
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Publish date : 2024-09-21 17:01:00
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