ASU dining hall workers voted Monday to authorize a potential strike, which, if deemed necessary, could begin at any time.
Food service employees at the University have been in the process of negotiating a new contract after their collective bargaining agreement with Aramark expired on Aug. 31.
"They deserve wages they can live on, safe and fair working conditions, and the basic dignity every worker is owed," Beatriz Topete, Organizing Director for the UNITE HERE Local 11 union, said in a press release.
Of the approximately 700 Aramark food service workers at the University, more than half are represented by the union, according to Victoria Stahl, the communications organizer at UNITE HERE Local 11. Of union members who cast a ballot Monday, 99% voted to authorize a strike.
"Now that it has been approved, workers would be able to walk out if they did feel at some point that negotiations have stalled or that they wanted to send a more clear message about what they're asking for," Stahl said.
If the union's negotiating committee decides a strike is necessary, employees could walk off the job ahead of Thanksgiving or in the following months. If the negotiating committee decides to strike, there will likely be 24 to 48 hours or less of notice before workers walk off the job, according to Stahl.
READ MORE: Dining hall workers hold second protest amid contract negotiations with Aramark
Heather Dotchel, a spokesperson for Aramark, said in a written statement that the company's operations at the University remain unaffected.
"A strike authorization vote is a common part of the collective bargaining process," Dotchel said in the statement. "It does not mean a strike is imminent."
Dotchel said Aramark and the union are making progress in ongoing negotiations, and Aramark remains confident a resolution will be reached that supports all stakeholders.
A spokesperson for the University has not responded to a request for comment.
Stahl said workers voluntarily choose whether to strike and said the union will communicate to ensure employees feel comfortable making that decision "if they feel that it is worth the risk."
Stahl also said the union has seen overwhelming support from students.
"These workers are a vital part of the community, and they deserve the support and respect of the student body that they support daily," Stahl said.
Editor's note: This story is developing and may be updated.
Edited by Kate Gore, George Headley, Sophia Braccio and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporter at coyer1@asu.edu and follow @carstenoyer on X.
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Carsten Oyer is a sophomore studying journalism and mass communication, as well as public service and public policy. This is his second semester with The State Press, having previously worked as a politics reporter.
