1. How would a union benefit me?
A union would fight for you to have better pay/benefits, working conditions, fairer pathways to promotions, job security, and much more.
2. Is the Union an outside organization?
No. Workers are the union, including you and your coworkers. We're just collectively organizing to demand better from management.
3.How do I sign support for the union?
Let the person that spoke to you know or shoot a text or email at Contact Us
4. How Long will it take to unionize?
It's going to be a process over the span of this year. There's over 800 employees that work under Chartwells on UF's Campus.
5. How would we even unionize?
We would need to get 50% + 1 of the total workforce in support in order to get our union recognized and to force management to the bargaining table.
6. Is it even possible to unionize a food service job like ours?
Yes. Ever since the pandemic the labor movement has gained serious momentum, various fast food/restaurants are beginning to unionize around the country such as Starbucks, and even against trillion dollar megacorps like Amazon. Chartwells itself has hundreds of locations around the country where its workers had successful union campaigns that won major improvements to working conditions and pay. Even within the state of Florida, the Chartwells Food Service Workers at the University of Miami led a successful union drive back in 2013. It will take some work but it's not an impossible task and potential payoff would be tremendous.
7. Who would be eligible for the union?
All non-management employees at all food services locations on campus excluding catering as that's a separate division. As well as Workers at Chartwells run franchised fast food locations such as Chic-Fil-A, Starbucks, and Subway. International workers such as those on student visas, green cards, etc are able to unionize as well, all workers have the same protected rights under the National Labor Relations Act.
8. Will I have a say in the union if we get one?
Yes. Unions are democracies and every worker will have a voice/vote on all union matters, whether it's voting on union contracts, your union reps at your location, dues, benefits, and more. The union would give you a much bigger voice with management and your work place.
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