U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly joined a dining worker picket line on April 9 on ASU's Downtown Phoenix campus to show support for the workers' ongoing negotiations with their employer, Aramark.
The ASU workers' collective bargaining agreement with Aramark expired in August 2025. New negotiations regarding worker conditions and wages started in October 2025, and they have yet to settle on a proposal, leading to protests across campuses and a strike on Feb. 18.
Victoria Stahl, communications organizer with UNITE HERE Local 11, said negotiations were not agreed to in a meeting last week due to a lack of "better benefits and higher wages."
"The fact that at Arizona's largest state institutions, state universities, that there are workers living in poverty is just unacceptable," Stahl said.
During the picketing, Kelly talked to ASU Aramark workers about their stories and experiences.
"They're asking for something that is rather reasonable, that when they come to work, they do not wind up in the hospital, which is what has happened here at this Panda Express that's run by Aramark," Kelly said.
On March 26, the Downtown Phoenix campus' Panda Express workers walked out after submitting a formal complaint to the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health alleging the employer failed to have working air conditioning or adequate cooling.
An Aramark spokesperson said in a statement that the company is working with the University to investigate the matter and "will take the appropriate steps to address the situation."
READ MORE: Downtown ASU Panda Express workers walk out due to 'non-functioning air conditioning'
"As an employer that publicly celebrates its commitment to a 'people-first' approach to hospitality, I am concerned by your company’s inability to come to agreement on contract terms that work for both labor and management," Kelly wrote in an April 9 letter addressed to Aramark.
In the letter, Kelly urged the company to take concerns into account, cooperate with ongoing investigations and work with employees. He also encouraged negotiating in "good faith" to come to an agreement.
"We continue to actively negotiate with the union and respect the right of our employees to demonstrate," an Aramark spokesperson said in a written statement. "We look forward to continuing to bargain in good faith to reach an agreement that works for everyone and in the meantime, we remain committed to delivering a high-quality student dining experience."
A University spokesperson did not provide a comment, but directed The State Press to Aramark's statement.
"We're out here supporting the Aramark workers that service ASU students every day, fighting for a fair contract to give them fair wages, affordable health insurance and a pension that they can retire on," Mari Yepez, a lead organizer for UNITE HERE Local 11, said.
Ellen Stant, a worker at Tooker House Dining Hall, came out to protest for herself and those she works with.
"I love working with the students, the students are great," Stant said. "I'm just trying to live a better life."
Stahl said the union and advocates are asking the University and the Arizona Board of Regents to push Aramark to settle the contracts.
Edited by Senna James, Henry Smardo, Sophia Braccio and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at galawre3@asu.edu.
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Grace Lawrence is the lead reporter for the community and culture desk at The State Press. This is her 2nd semester working with The State Press.
