Sodexo workers meet to discuss health care, wages

Students and Sodexo workers gathered at a town hall meeting to discuss liveable wages and… Students and Sodexo workers gathered at a town hall meeting to discuss liveable wages and affordable health care last night.

The event, organized by Sodexo workers and Students in Solidarity with Service Workers, drew about 70 people in the Frick Fine Arts Auditorium. Unionized and non-unionized employees told stories about their experiences with Sodexo management and the company in general.

Workers said they wanted higher wages and lower health care costs, among other issues.

Keely McCaskie, a Pitt freshman and member of Students in Solidarity with Service Workers, said this issue affects not only the food service workers but also the average Pitt student.

“There’s an undeniable connection between these workers and the students, and we’re all connected in this community,” McCaskie said. “We depend on the workers for our needs, and they depend on us students for jobs. If the University turns its head away from these workers, they are also turning their head away from our community and ultimately, from the students.”

“We hope the Pitt administration will pressure Sodexo and hold them to higher standards,” she added, referring to health care costs and wages.

Sodexo spokeswoman Monica Zimmer said Sodexo has a “collective bargaining agreement” with workers, complying with labor laws and respecting employees’ rights.

“Sodexo is committed to treating workers with respect and fairness,” Zimmer said in an e-mail.

Gabe McMorland, president of Pitt’s Blue Green Alliance — a partnership between labor unions and environmental advocacy groups — agreed and said he hopes students become more involved in helping the workers achieve their goals of obtaining higher wages and cheaper health care.

“I don’t think the turnout at this particular event reflects the level of student interest on this issue,” McMorland said. “This is a much larger issue of discussion on campus than what was reflected here, and I think it’s a valid issue for the Pitt community to be involved in.”

Mehvish Ally, president of Pitt Students for a Democratic Society, said she felt the town hall meeting was a success and hoped to continue educating as many people as possible about the issue.

“Members of my organization and myself felt the need to be involved in this campaign, and we’d love to see this movement succeed,” Ally said. “I hope that more students will be come involved and that SGB will get on board this issue as well.”

“I just hope this movement doesn’t flake out,” she added.

Students in Solidarity with Service Workers consists of multiple students and a coalition of campus organizations addressing and promoting the welfare of the Sodexo workers. The group has petitioned around campus and started an e-mail list and a Facebook group for students.

McMorland said the student group is important because it allows students to get involved.

“This is a student issue, not just because we interact with these people everyday, but because Pitt is somewhere we should be proud of,” McMorland said. “We’re attached to the Pitt reputation for life, and the same ethics that are promoted regularly by the University should extend to these employees as well.”

Zimmer said the company’s negotiations with Sodexo employees at Pitt are in its early stages.

“We are optimistic that we’ll come to an agreement that is acceptable to all parties,” she said.

—Staff Writer Eric Shannon contributed to this report.