Resolution stalled for Bon Appétit
By Jesus Diaz
An incomplete submission of grievances delayed a solution to the dispute between Bon Appétit workers and management. The solution was scheduled for release last Friday.
Fabio Soto, general manager for dining services, said grievances filed last Wednesday "were not 100 percent complete" with 13 of the 24 complaints lacking the specifics and format asked for by the company and contract.
The Service Workers United Union filed the grievances that reflect feelings of discontent among Bon Appétit employees, who claim management is not responding to issues of harassment, racism and pay in the work place.
Bon Appétit was able to investigate 11 allegations that were specific enough to make an in-depth examination.
Of these, Soto says four are closed cases and three were provided with a solution.
Should the workers involved in these three cases not be satisfied with the company's response, the employees could pursue arbitration, which entails the involvement of a third-party investigator.
So far, plaintiffs involved in the three cases have not responded to Soto or Bon Appétit.
Regarding other pending grievances, Soto asked the union for additional time to investigate as some cases "are of deep concern." The union granted the company more time, pushing the completed investigation of all 24 filed grievances to Thursday, May 6.
"We did a tremendous amount of interviewing and investigating," said Soto, who has personally seen and responded to grievances filed.
The Labor Action Committee of Santa Clara Community Action Program is currently working with the workers and their union to aid in current conversations.
"We're kind of in a state of limbo right now," said LAC Director Sarah Bradley.
Bradley, a senior, called the current state a "delicate situation" as the Bon Appétit management finds itself investigating these cases with some workers satisfied and some unsatisfied with solutions.
The SCCAP program coordinator said arbitration continues to be an option to some workers, although there are no current plans for a rally or protest.
Soto says he would be surprised if the union and workers decide to protest after everyone in the campus community "sees the big picture" by May 6.
As negotiations continue, shop steward Flor Barrientos said she is not content with some solutions offered by Bon Appétit. Barrientos has repeatedly expressed the need for a protest as she anticipates the reaction of Bon Appétit. She said people have cried in front of the management and that there is a sexual harassment case being discussed.
"I will continue to tirelessly fight for the workers' rights and to solve this situation," said Barrientos in Spanish, her native language.
According to Soto, there are plenty of employees who are beyond happy with the management.
No Bon Appétit management employees have been terminated as a result of investigations.
More meetings are expected to occur between now and Bon Appétit's May 6 deadline, with one taking place today to assess the progress of the situation.
The meeting will be facilitated by Soto and other Bon Appétit executives. Bradley, Union Leader Alvin Patino and six shop stewards plan to attend.
Soto said, "There's a lot that is unfolding here and it's taking quite a while."
Contact Jesus Diaz at jadiaz@scu.edu or (408) 554-4546.