Spring Break
Students create dining service reform coalition
by Nashrah Rahman
Editorial assistant
News | 10/21/08
Posted online at 3:18 AM EST on 10/21/08
/ Last updated at 3:14 AM EST on 10/21/08
The Brandeis Coalition for Food Service Reform had its first meeting on Oct. 6 during which it developed a list of dining services grievances to present to Aramark when the University's contract with Aramark is considered for renewal in 2009, according to Committee Chair of the Coalition Danielle Hollenbeck-Pringle '10.
The Coalition discussed a variety of issues, including dining services labor and safety, healthy food options, dietary restrictions, dining hours and meal-point equivalency.
When asked to comment on whether Aramark is aware of such rising student dissatisfaction, Director of Dining Services Mike Newmark wrote in an e-mail to the Justice that he was "sure" that Aramark's student dining satisfaction scores continue to "increase semester after semester." Newmark also wrote that online surveys are assessed by university administration and the Student Dining Committee "to ensure that student concerns are addressed and that we continue to raise satisfaction scores." He wrote that Aramark "absolutely" encourages and welcomes student feedback.
In the meeting, Labor Coordinator Nathan Ross '11 said that a primary demand is that campus workers retain their jobs, benefits and union protection during the transition of contracts. Ross also addressed understaffing, which he considers to be a key problem. In an e-mail to the Justice, he clarified, "Understaffing means that workers have to do much more than eight hours worth of work within the right hours they're paid for, and this is not safe; nor it is fair."
In his e-mail Ross clarified that the labor demands were compiled with the help of "many people's work and involvement" and the approval of the Brandeis Labor Coalition. He wrote, "Our dining workers have served us thousands of meals and are a part of the community on campus."
The Coalition plans to ask that Aramark collaborate with the dining workers' union. Szkilnik Tolan '11, a Stein employee, also drew attention to the sporadic break times at her workplace and emphasized that employees must be allocated a more solidified and coherent schedule.
The Coalition discussed a variety of issues, including dining services labor and safety, healthy food options, dietary restrictions, dining hours and meal-point equivalency.
When asked to comment on whether Aramark is aware of such rising student dissatisfaction, Director of Dining Services Mike Newmark wrote in an e-mail to the Justice that he was "sure" that Aramark's student dining satisfaction scores continue to "increase semester after semester." Newmark also wrote that online surveys are assessed by university administration and the Student Dining Committee "to ensure that student concerns are addressed and that we continue to raise satisfaction scores." He wrote that Aramark "absolutely" encourages and welcomes student feedback.
In the meeting, Labor Coordinator Nathan Ross '11 said that a primary demand is that campus workers retain their jobs, benefits and union protection during the transition of contracts. Ross also addressed understaffing, which he considers to be a key problem. In an e-mail to the Justice, he clarified, "Understaffing means that workers have to do much more than eight hours worth of work within the right hours they're paid for, and this is not safe; nor it is fair."
In his e-mail Ross clarified that the labor demands were compiled with the help of "many people's work and involvement" and the approval of the Brandeis Labor Coalition. He wrote, "Our dining workers have served us thousands of meals and are a part of the community on campus."
The Coalition plans to ask that Aramark collaborate with the dining workers' union. Szkilnik Tolan '11, a Stein employee, also drew attention to the sporadic break times at her workplace and emphasized that employees must be allocated a more solidified and coherent schedule.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Brandeis Senior
posted 10/21/08 @ 9:14 AM EST
Michael Newmark is absolutely ridiculous, and willfully has no idea of what is going on with students or their satisfaction. I will bet on the fact that he refused to speak to the author of this article personally. (Continued…)
Lev
posted 10/21/08 @ 5:04 PM EST
The part in this article about fair pricing is really quite silly as the author cites the one meal plan where a 'point' theoretically costs less than one dollar. (Continued…)
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