Dining workers protest union contract

Want the University t hire them year-round For the past six years, dining facilities employees have been rallying against the union contract they are required to sign every three years. Each summer, the employees are temporarily laid off, but are prevented from collecting unemployment benefits because they are guaranteed a job at the beginning of the school year, according to Class of 1920 Commons cook Vera Lewis. Lewis has been an active participant in speaking with University officials and writing to state legislators to change Pennsylvania's policy that prohibits them from collecting unemployment benefits. But she and other employees have been unsuccessful in their attempts so far, which has caused considerable hardships to them during the summer months. Dining facilities are the only section of the University which lay off employees during the summer months. "It's hard to find temporary employment for just a few months, and with no income and kids to take care of, things can get really rough," Lewis said. Under Pennsylvania law, single persons may only collect welfare payments once every two years. There are approximately 125 employees divided between the various dining facilities on campus, and the 40 most senior employees are hired during the summer months. But Lewis said she has been working at the Commons for the past 12 years and still hasn't earned the right to work there over the summer. Chef Mickey Starks has worked at Commons for 27 years, but has only been asked to work during the summer for the past five years. Prior to his summer employment, he was able to collect unemployment benefits until 1984, when Pennsylvania changed is union labor laws prohibiting employees from collecting the benefits when they are still guaranteed a job position. According to University Director of Staff and Labor Relations Jack Heuer, there is little the employees can do now to receive unemployment benefits. "This is a state law, and the employees are well aware of it when they sign their employment contract," Heuer said. In the 1980s, employees were paid on a 52-week cycle, with a portion of their paychecks taken out to be put toward checks received in the summer when they are unemployed. Employment contracts are negotiated every few years, Heuer said, adding that Dining Services employees voted to cancel this payment system in the 1984-89 contract. According to Lewis, employees were opposed to this proposal because it left them with such a small weekly income. "Some people here are fortunate enough to make $13,000 gross salary a year, but many people are making only $8,000 a year," she said. "When more money is taken out of our weekly paychecks, it leaves us with barely enough money to survive." The labor union composed of dining facilities workers has also been requesting that the University find them part-time jobs during the summer. Lewis said she writes for a job fill-in every year, but usually gets no more than a few weeks' work. Gloria Outterbridge, a cook at Chats, also said she finds herself without employment during the summer. Lewis and other employees say they need to get their voices heard, but do not plan on organizing any strikes or protests. They plan to continue to write to their state representatives to change the unemployment laws and request that the University find them adequate summer employment. "Our situation would greatly improve if the University could find us work year-round," Lewis said. "There has to be work available at HUP or at the Penn Tower Hotel, and we'd be willing to take whatever we get." But according to Heuer, work isn't always available, and the University does its best to post up part-time jobs positions for the workers. "It's unfortunate, but we can't negotiate the current contract in midterm and the next one isn't due to be negotiated until 1998," he added. "Right now we're just trying to adhere to the terms."