As a Binghamton University partner for more than 30 years, Sodexo has long held a unique position that enables us to support and improve quality of life on campus for students, faculty, staff and our employees by working closely with the administration and the greater Binghamton University community to enhance the on-campus experience. We are proud of what we’ve accomplished together in that time and are honored to have the opportunity to continue this successful relationship through the new contract signed last year.

The Sodexo team contributes to the campus and local community in many different ways, including our notable work done in fighting hunger throughout the Binghamton and Southern Tier regions. We are also a major employer in the region. We are strongly committed to our employees at Binghamton University, the hard-working men and women who live and work in the Binghamton community and who serve the students, faculty, staff and guests here on a daily basis. As a company committed to our people, Sodexo works to continuously engage our employees, provide a safe, open and inclusive workplace, and offer meaningful wages, benefits and resources. The wages in question are those set as a result of our previous Collective Bargaining Agreement and in accordance with recent changes in New York law.

Our care for and commitment to our people is also reflected in the full benefits package Sodexo offers to all Binghamton University Dining Services employees. This package, which includes medical, dental and vision insurance with a broad range of services, is something not normally offered by the majority of fast food operations impacted by the new regulations and is a solid example of Sodexo’s interest and efforts to do right by our team members.

Sodexo’s respect for our employees was also demonstrated throughout the last year. After several months of campaign activity between two unions, our employees elected by a one-vote majority, ratified in October, to change the union representing them. Sodexo took no steps to influence or interfere with that process or decision, and agreed promptly to bargain with the new union.

Sodexo is currently negotiating with the new union representing the Dining Services staff. This negotiation is between Sodexo and the new union. We commend the University for respecting the ongoing negotiation process, through their firm neutrality and allowing Sodexo and the new union to work through it. We also respect the bargaining process, and we believe the process works best when the parties address their differences candidly and directly at the negotiating table. For this reason, we will not comment on or provide specific details about these discussions, but I can tell you that we continue to meet in good faith as we have in the last four contract negotiations through the last 10 years. We trust that mutual respect for the collective bargaining process will lead to another successful agreement.

Sincerely,

Carty McMullen

Regional Vice President, Universities, Sodexo