Loyola University Chicago dining workers consider forming union

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.loyolaphoenix.com/2.541/news/loyola-dining-workers-consider-forming-union-1.1669842

By Tahera Rahman

Published: Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Have you ever wondered how many hours are spent preparing the endless pizza at Simpson Dining Hall? Or the bottomless pasta bowls at Lake Shore Dining Hall? Have you ever wondered who cleans the half-eaten crusts off your plate or the medley of sauces left at the bottom of your bowl?

The answer: employees of Aramark, the company that provides food services to Loyola University Chicago. Many of these employees said they are overworked, understaffed and face job insecurity, pushing more and more of them to consider signing a petition to unionize, which is being circulated among employees.

It is currently unclear how the unionization of dining employees would affect meal plan or food item costs for Loyola students, as Aramark representatives have declined to comment.

http://www.loyolaphoenix.com/polopoly_fs/1.1669843!/image/4141055601.JPG_gen/derivatives/landscape_240/4141055601.JPG

"Aramark workers at Loyola are consulting with us … about forming a union to improve their working conditions," said Kyle Schafer, a union organizer with Local One, a branch of the union organization Unite Here.



Aramark employees in the Loyola dining facilities said they work in a fast-paced environment that requires them to complete a number of tasks in a short amount of time with little help or breaks in between.

"They want two people to do the job of four people … it's too hard to finish on time," said a male employee who has worked for Loyola dining for two years.

FULL story at link.