Food service workers deserve better! We work hard to feed ESU students. Honor our contract!

We are the hardworking men and women who feed students day-in and day-out at East Stroudsburg University. We recently negotiated a union contract that ensures we are paid fairly, treated with respect and provided with benefits that help us take care of our families.

We can't allow these protections to be threatened by the PA State System of Higher Education's (PASSHE) merger of the food service operations at ESU with those at Bloomsburg University, Lock Haven University, Kutztown University, Cheyney University, Mansfield University and potentially Millersville University. Starting next academic year (2021-22), one food service contractor will feed students at all six campuses under one agreement. Food service companies have submitted their bids now. The winning company will be chosen this winter.

We call on Interim President Long and Chancellor Greenstein to demand that the winning company honor our existing union contract as well as the contracts of our union brothers and sisters at Lock Haven, Bloomsburg, Millersville, Cheyney and Mansfield. The winning company should also grant workers at Kutztown University a fair process for joining a union so that they too can negotiate for fair wages, benefits and working conditions.

We are prepared to take action if this arrangement threatens our union contract. We are well aware of how unfairly many nonunion food service workers are treated and how poorly they are compensated. We will do whatever it takes to preserve the fair treatment, pay and respect we have fought for!