Jan. 16 started like any other move-in day, with all students preparing to say goodbye to their families and move back to the university for the new semester. And it was a regular move-in day until the rush was interrupted by the sudden sounds of a megaphone, footsteps and cheers. Sodexo employees and facilities workers from all over campus were carrying signs and marching. Some were passing out flyers with QR code links to a petition.
The employees were protesting for better pay and benefits. The protest let the public know of the precariousness that Sodexo and facilities workers face as those workers made a public demand for better wages, better healthcare benefits and subcontract protections against being replaced by other workers.
The petition was created in partnership with Local 217, Unite Here, a union that represents 300,000 working people across Canada and the United States. The union represents people in the hotel, gaming, food service, manufacturing, textile, distribution, laundry, transportation and airport industries.
The flyer QR code directed students to a site that more fully described the situation and explained that Sodexo and the union are “engaged in contract negotiations to determine wages, benefits, and working conditions for their respective employees.”
The students could then sign the petition, with the statement saying “We, the UNH students, stand in solidarity with Sodexo cafeteria workers and UNH Facilities workers on our campus. The employees feed us with a smile, set up football games, and save our dorm possessions from being drenched when there’s a leak in a building. We support their campaign to win contracts with good wages, high quality affordable healthcare, stable retirement, and subcontracting protections.”
Although this was not considered a strike, the protest attracted attention from students and families. Images and videos were shared on social media platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram. Pictures of the flyer, as well as images of the petition employees were asking students to sign, could be seen on the social media platform Yik Yak.
Mason Smith, president of the Young Democratic Socialists of America, was one of many members of their organization present at the gathering. In reflection, Smith said “It was heartbreaking yet inspiring to to hear the employees [on Jan. 16] talk about what they’ve been going through recently,” and said that “The general feeling at the protest was that UNH employees are tired of the University remaining stagnant on a lot of their asks, and our employees feel motivated by UNITE HERE Local 217 which is advocating for our dining and facilities workers.” This organization has also worked to help represent workers from other universities in the area, including Yale, Wesleyan, Central Connecticut and Hartford.
The protests caused several delays around campus, including food places and diners such as FOD, Marketplace and the Charger convenience store.
Juan Dominguez, leading manager of Sodexo at the university, declined to comment, as did vice president of facilities Lou Annino. Instead, comment was redirected to the university’s office of marketing and communication, who provided a statement on behalf of the faculty, staff and administration.
On Jan. 19, they said “The university respects the rights of the demonstrators who gathered to peacefully express their views. All dining services across the University are operating as scheduled, as has been the case since residential students returned to campus in advance of the start of the spring semester. University leaders continue to be in contact with Sodexo to ensure that dining services for the University community continue uninterrupted.” This mirrored their statement on Jan. 15, which also reiterated their endurance of dining services going “uninterrupted.”
Their Jan. 19 statement made to The Charger Bulletin also said that “The union representing our facilities employees is currently engaged in negotiations with the university. We will continue to work constructively with the union representing our facilities employees to maintain and strengthen a long-standing, strong, and productive relationship that supports the important role our facilities employees play in our 24/7 university operations.”
Students who want more information can attend a solidarity meeting at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 30 outside of Bartels’ lounge.