Foodservice employees at Clarion University indicated late last week they are in favor of unionization.
“Friday we had the card count, which is different than a vote,” said Ben Bennett, organizing director for Pennsylvania Joint Board of Workers United. “The cards are counted to see if there is a majority – 100% of the cards were for the union.”
A new food service company, Aramark, replaced the current provider, Chartwells, at the end of the last semester. The contract was awarded through a bidding process.
In late April, the university’s food service employees staged a rally on the steps of the Eagle Commons Dining Hall.
Bennett said earlier Aramark voluntarily recognized the union at other universities in the nation, including in Pennsylvania.
“Now we have to bargain a contract. We hope to get it done before the next semester,” Bennett said.