Chicago State University Cafeteria Workers Strike

By aaroncynic in News on Dec 6, 2012 4:20PM

Cafeteria workers for Chicago State University began a strike Thursday after their employer, Thompson Hospitality, cancelled negotiations with their union. The cafeteria workers unionized earlier this year and have been in negotiations with Thompson since June. The contract between CSU and Thompson does not expire until June 2014, but officials told workers earlier this week the company submitted a 30-day notice to terminate the contract due to “unfulfilled financial obligations.” UNITE HERE Local 1, who represents the CSU cafeteria workers, filed unfair labor practice charges on Monday after Thompson cancelled several scheduled meetings.

“I take pride in my work and want to serve good, quality food to students. It breaks my heart that the company has forced us into this position,” said Candace Cain in a press release, one of the 50 CSU workers affected. Dominoe Carmona, a sophomore at the school said “With Thompson Hospitality saying they will leave in 30 days due to unpaid financial obligations, what I want to know from CSU is, where is my money going?”

The cafeteria workers plan to picket the Student Union Building today from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.