Public Employee Press

DC 37 presses HHC to improve monitoring of food contractor
Sodexo managers disrespect HHC's unionized staff and ignore contractual work rules.

Before the Health and Hospitals Corp. board of directors voted Feb. 26 to renew Sodexo's 10-year, one-half billion dollar contract to provide patients' meals, DC 37 leaders pressed for accountability, improved food quality, and respect and dignity for patients and the unionized workforce at the city's 22 public hospitals and long term care facilities.

Field Services Director Barbara Edmonds asked that HHC revise the terms of the Cook Chill agreement with Sodexo to cut the contract to four years from a ten-year agreement. DC 37 contends that Sodexo's managers disrespect HHC's unionized employees and ignore the contractual work rules and due process rights of union members.

"Sodexo regularly misuses and abuses temporary workers and part-time employees, who earn far less and have no union benefits or protections," said Local 420 President Carmen Charles. "Some of these temps have worked for HHC for four years or longer. Sodexo uses them to keep overhead costs and staff count low."

"More needs to be done to improve patient satisfaction and lift worker morale," Charles added. She called for HHC to hire additional permanent employees. "The bottom line should not be about the dollar; it is HHC's mission to give quality care to patients regardless of their ability to pay."

Edmonds asked the HHC board to establish better oversight of the for-profit contractor, Sodexo. She suggested HHC form committees to regularly monitor Sodexo's adherence to its contract and mandate formal accountability to HHC managers, its board, and the union.

HHC President Ram Raju acknowledged DC 37's concerns and said, "We've got to do better than we have in the past."

— Diane S. Williams