Wright State is currently negotiating a 10-year contract with another company, Chartwells. The company would provide all services, including concessions at the Wright State Nutter Center, said Mark Polatajko, vice president for business and fiscal affairs and university treasurer.
“It is our desire and our hope that they will hire our members,” said Dennis Painter, international representative for the United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America. Painter said the union has had preliminary conversations with the new company, but has not yet met with them.
He said some workers have more than 30 years of experience working at Wright State under different companies.
Chartwells is owned by the Compass Group, which has more than 180,000 employees in the United States, according to its website.
The transition comes after a 10-month review aimed at getting the best deal and quality services for the community and taxpayers, according to WSU. Four companies made presentations on campus, Polatajko said. Chartwells’ proposal guarantees the university will receive $24 million in the 10 years, and an additional $8.2 million to improve facilities, including constructing the new Woods Commons, Polatajko said.
Polatajko said Chartwells has said it will be reaching out to current employees and conducting on-site interviews.
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