Earlier this month, for the second time in a decade, food service
workers at Bryant College walked out on their jobs.
Members of the Service Employees International Union, Local 134, hung
white “ON STRIKE” placards around their necks, and began picketing, or
what one union member referred to as “the Douglas Pike Polka.”
As of Providence Business News’ press time last Wednesday, the strike
had not been settled and both sides were scheduled to meet with a
federal mediator.
The strike issues, according to union members: wages and split-shifts.
At least 14 staffers are required to work split-shifts in order to
maintain their eligibility for health insurance, said Karen McAninch,
Local 134’s business agent.
For instance, Henry, a general utility worker on campus for about 12
years now, said he earns less than $9 an hour and must regularly work
8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., then return for the 5 to 7 p.m. dinner shift.
Another dishroom worker said because of his split-shifts, he must work
six days a week to stay eligible for insurance.
“The only thing we’re asking for is a fair shake,” Henry said.
McAninch said the split-shift requirement was included in a previous
contract and its language indicates if workers “didn’t work a split,
your hours could be cut from 40 to 20.”
The union requested a series of raises that would increase hourly pay by
$1.15 over three years, while ARAMARK offered a package that would
increase pay by $1 an hour. Though workers would like the split-shift
eliminated altogether, the union requested a split-shift differential of
50 cents an hour. ARAMARK offered to institute the differential, and
gradually increase it from 25 cents an hour to 50 cents, according to
Mark Allen, the company’s district manager.
The dispute lies in how and when the money is disbursed.
ARAMARK Food Service Corp. of Philadelphia, Pa., which employs the
striking food service workers, operates two dining areas and a bagel
cart at the college. It also provides similar services throughout the
country, employing about 125,000 people overall.
“We have an offer on the table that we consider a fair and equitable
one,” Allen said.
Health insurance is also at issue, he said, explaining that ARAMARK
wants workers to switch from Healthmate 2000 to Harvard-Pilgrim Health.
Allen said ARAMARK has offered “free” health care for the life of the
three-year contract if the union agrees to the switch.
McAninch said on average union members earn $9.50 an hour and work 35
hours a week, although she said ARAMARK officials indicate they earn an
average of about $9.75 an hour. Food service workers at Brown
University, who belong to the same union, on average earn $11.10 an hour
and work 40 hours a week, she said.
At the University of Rhode Island, where there are 120 food service
workers, the average annual salary is $23,868, according to a school
spokeswoman. Based on a 40 hour work week that’s $11.47 an hour.
During the 1988 strike, the union had about 60 members, according to
McAninch. Because of cutbacks over the years, there are now only 39 jobs
covered by the collective bargaining agreement, she said.
“It’s tough,” she said of the union’s efforts to staff the 24-hour
picket line.
They were receiving some help from members of Bryant’s physical plant
workers’ 70 member union, who were refusing to report for work as
electricians, plumbers, custodians and other jobs. Members of the public
safety and teachers unions at Bryant were also taking turns on the
picket line during time off, since they were still reporting for work.
George Farra, another physical plant worker, said they weren’t expecting
to shut down the school. “We don’t expect kids to cut classes, just
boycott food services,” he said.
Union workers from around the state also joined them for a Nov. 7 rally
during the last home game of Bryant’s football season.
Drivers for Rhode Island Public Transit Authority and United Parcel
Service also refused to cross the picket line. RIPTA drivers were
stopping in Fidelity Investment’s driveway across the street, forcing
riders to walk through the picket line.
“It’s working people trying to get a better job; we honor the picket
line. We honor the working people,” said Edward Rogers, the transit
union’s business agent.
School administrators maintained they were not involved in negotiations.
Nancy Rowett, the school’s public relations director, said: “All of our
services and functions are continuing. We do hope that ARAMARK and its
employees settle this soon.”
President Ronald K. Machtley did not return a phone message left at his
office last Tuesday requesting comment.
“We put up with the low wages in the bad times, but now the good times
are here and we’re not seeing any of it,” said June Aubuchon, a Bryant
cashier/checker for 24 years.
