Buffalo, NY - Approximately 100 Sodexo Group service workers in Buffalo are celebrating a victory against a billion dollar global giant today.  Nearly 100 service workers were fighting for a contract from billion dollar for-profit company, the Sodexo Group since February. Sodexo workers provide cleaning and sanitization services at Sisters of Charity Hospital on Main Street in Buffalo. 

 

Initially, Sodexo Group refused to meet with its service workers to negotiate a deal in February, further pushing back negotiations. Progress had been slow since July forcing workers to escalate their fight for a fair contract.  Service workers “marched on the boss” in September to make their demands crystal clear. The last union contract covering the workers expired July 15^th and was extended only once. Workers have continued working to provide services at the hospital without a labor deal until this week. 

 

“I retired and came back to help not just myself but my coworkers. This time I can leave with dignity,” said James McLeod. 

 

“We are more important than they know. We are keeping their company alive and thriving as well as keeping the facility clean and sanitized. We just wanted a fair contract with a pension so we can take care of our families when our bodies won’t allow us to work anymore,” said Malik Lucas.

 

Today, union members overwhelmingly voted in favor of ratifying the new deal.  Sodexo service workers won an average wage increase of 5.8% the first year and 4% in years 2 and 3, totaling 13.8% over the contract. Dedicated employees will now get 1 weeks’ severance pay per year of service provided an employee works 20 years for the company. Workers also won increased evening and overnight shift differentials. The labor contract also includes new grievance procedure language and language to ensure fair distribution of overtime and team lead work. 

 

Workers also stood united to beat back employer proposals to remove daily overtime and overtime after 37.5 hours. 

 

Service workers also won new benefits including the 1199SEIU Training and Employment fund allowing workers to upgrade and maintain their skills and specialty certifications.  Service workers will also be able to take advantage of a newly added 1199SEIU Childcare Benefit Fund. The Childcare Fund is a union benefit to support members and their families by providing quality benefits, academic and personal development programs for children and youth up to age 17.  This new benefit fund was first won by Schoellkopf Health Center nursing home workers earlier this year and now Sodexo workers will be the fifth group of workers in WNY to win this benefit in their contract outside of Rochester and New York City.

 

The new 3-year labor contract runs through July 15, 2028.

 

 

 

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1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. We represent over 400,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all.
https://www.1199seiu.org