The Gauntlet® Opinions - On Chartwells

Editor, the Gauntlet,

Regarding the outsourcing of Food Services; I would like to begin by lauding the administration of the university for making this decision. As a student living in traditional residence, I eat at the Dining Center almost every day. It has not been my experience that the quality of the food, and the level of service received is not up to many people's standards. I do realize that there are some very hard working people, and I would like to thank these few for the excellent service that I have received on a few occasions. I hope that Cartwells offers you employment with them. On the other hand, there are some employees of Food Services who seem to have the impression that their union affiliation makes them irreplaceable. I hope that reality starts to set in when you are outsourced.

As for the propaganda that was distributed on Tue., Mar. 8, I would like to say that I am disgusted that the AUPE would print these sorts of allegations. For example, saying that Food Services employees "helped build your university" is a bit of an overstatement at best. Why can't the union spend its time applauding the people who really helped to build this university? I have yet to see them print flyers telling people to support the students or professors.

In my opinion, this is one of the first good decisions that administration has made in quite a while. Keep it up!

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Posted: 2005-03-11 08:57:56
#1 - How do you know that Chartwells will do a better job, have better food or an improved attitude. Have you ever worked in food services? Well, I don't now, but I have in the past...it's not always the most prestigious of jobs. Plus, you are not talking about five star dining here. It's a cafeteria.

The AUPE doesnít have to solicit support for students and profs. They already have support on many different levels. For you to insinuate that 300 people haven't contributed to building the university is disgraceful.

I would seriously like to see your attitude if it was your job being lost.

–Anonymous Coward

Posted: 2005-03-11 21:53:34
#2 - I know of a private high-school that contracted out to Chartwells and they did a terrible job!

The school had to actually fight tooth and nail to get out of the 5 year contract because Chartwells did so badly. Lucky the school was only subject to it for one year. I wonder how lucky our school will be...

–JG, Student

Posted: 2005-03-13 19:35:48
#3 - I agree with the author. AUPE staff on campus seem to think they work for the union and not the university. Unions promote the lowest common denominator and don't incentivize employees for hard work and initiative. Food services is awful. Forget 5 star. Unless Chartwell's makes Monday Kentucky Fried Rat day, it can't get much worse. In my experience, Chartwell's is great at other universities (Aramark is best). Let's give them a try. I feel bad about people losing their jobs, but hopefully the best of them will be hired on with Chartwell's and students will get the service they expect.

–Anonymous Coward

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