24 arrested in UC-Davis food-service employment protests

[Omaha Steve]

http://media.www.stateronline.com/media/storage/paper867/news/2007/05/04/ScienceAndTech/24.Arrested.In.UcDavis.FoodService.Employment.Protests-2894353.shtml

24 arrested in UC-Davis food-service employment protests

Bo Hee Kim
Issue date: 5/4/07 Section: Science and Tech
Originally published: 5/3/07 at 10:30 PM EST Last update: 5/3/07 at 10:30 PM EST


DAVIS, Calif. (U-WIRE) — Twenty-four people, including 12 University of California at Davis students, five alumni and one lecturer, were arrested in Tuesday's demonstration as they protested the out-sourcing of food-service workers and janitorial staff on the UC Davis campus.

Many UC Davis food-service workers have demanded UC Davis employ them directly since February. The workers are currently employed by Sodexho, the university's food-service provider. The university has denied their requests, saying it is in the school's best interests to remain in its sub-contract arrangement with Sodexho.

"One of their biggest concerns is health care," said Lisa Lapin, assistant vice chancellor for university communications. "Health care is also a big issue for the campus. We want all employees at UC Davis to be treated fairly and equitably. We're talking now with Sodexho to see what can be done to correct disparities between health care costs between Sodexho employees and university employees."

Lapin said Sodexho has also agreed to abide by some low-wage standards for employees as well as give them access to the grievance process.

"We've had a contract with Sodexho for over 30 years, 35 years since 1971. In that time it has been a beneficial partnership for the campus and the students," she said. "If Sodexho employees were to become university employees, it would cost an additional (at minimum) $3 million more a year to operate the food services. These costs would then get passed on to the students. Students in the residence halls could be paying more than $600 more per year for the food services if that were to happen."

At a Monday press conference, Fred Block, a sociology professor, and Martha West, a law professor, released a letter endorsed by 60 members of the UC Davis faculty supporting the food-service workers and Tuesday's rally. Block said the money shouldn't be an issue.

FULL story at link.