USC : New Pact for Housing and Dining Workers

USC and the Hotel and Restaurant Employees Union, Local 11, representing about 350 housing and dining service employees, have reached a verbal agreement to settle their contract dispute.

The settlement resolves disagreements over health insurance and scheduling. According to the three-year contract, the university will pay the full cost of employees’ medical insurance, and reductions in hours and layoffs will be limited to the least senior employees when possible.

In addition, if extra work is available during school breaks, the university will offer employment to laid-off union members before hiring temporary employees or students.

Although last week’s agreement will not be final until signed, both sides have approved the draft and expect to sign the contract soon, said Douglas Pendleton, USC’s chief negotiator and director of dining services.

Pendleton and the union characterized the agreement as mutually beneficial. Workers said they earn $5 to $11 an hour.

“Before, we had a lot of problems, but I feel better now with this agreement,” said Victoria Jackson, a dining services employee for nearly 15 years. “They (USC) are going to recognize seniority and take care of our medical benefits.”