Some dining hall workers take issue with Aramark policy

Many Hopkins dining employees find fault in the policies of Aramark, the contract company for campus dining. Some have gone as far as calling the food services company "unprofessional."

Though University students welcomed the increased food quality that came with the switch from Sodexho to Aramark in 2006, several dining services employees miss the old company's policies.

This year, with the influx of the large freshman class, employees are feeling the extra pressure that comes with being understaffed.

"We have over 1500 freshmen and we can't keep up with it," Aramark employee Tina Turner said.

"Last year there were fewer students; same hours, same staff. With more freshmen, Aramark needs to accommodate more workers."

Dave Furhman, director of Dining Services, said the University has been quite fortunate in campus dining in the face of the economic downturn, as business has remained steady.

He attributes this to the higher-than-expected freshman enrollment, which is also the reason for dining employees' complaints.

However, Furhman declined to comment on worker issues, on the basis that the workers are employed by Aramark and not by the University.

In response to questions about the effect of the economy on employee contracts and pay, Aramark Spokesperson Karen Cutler said, "Our locations are fully staffed to ensure quality service in all of our locations."

Cutler also stated that she is not aware of any issues with Aramark employees at Hopkins.

"I can tell you that our employees are essential to the service we provide to our clients and customers each and every day," Cutler said.

"This means that we work hard to ensure that we provide a great place to work, as well as competitive wages and benefits."

"Aramark has improved over the years," Turner acknowledged.

She has been working at Hopkins for 16 years, and Aramark is her fourth company on the campus.

"At the beginning they did not hear us, but later they did."

"Before, Aramark used to give us ultimatums," an anonymous Aramark employee said. "But now they are less threatening."

However, the changes Aramark has made in terms of their treatment of employees may not be enough for some workers.

"Sodexho was better at giving half-day six days," the anonymous employee said. "I wish [they] would come back. [Aramark] could probably use more diversity training."

According to the employee, the human resources people for Aramark sometimes respond, but the regional employers often fire workers when they have issues with the company.

Staff member Gladys Burrell, head of the union that represents dining hall workers, could not be reached for comment before press time.

"At the moment, the union helps those who are displeased with their jobs," Turner said. "We talk amongst ourselves."

But some staff members worry that expressing complaints to Aramark will result in their being fired.

"I can tell [that someone got fired] because there's a job advertisement posted on the bulletin board, so they got somebody," the anonymous employee said.

- Additional reporting by Payal Patnaik