ONEONTA _ Unionized food service employees at the State UNiversity College at Oneonta have rejected a proposed new contract.
The workers and ancillary staff for Sodexo, the contract food provider at SUCO, voted down the proposed agreement, 53-11, on Thursday, two of those involved with the situation said.
Roberta Dunker, president of Teamsters Union 693 that represents 74 members, said she is asking Sodexo negotiators "to come back to the negotiating table."
She hadn't had a response as of Friday, she said.
"People don't want to strike," she said. Points of contention include health insurance, salary and respect for workers as reflected in labor practices, Dunker said.
A Sodexo spokeswoman, Monica Zimmer, said in an e-mail response to questions asked by phone that "Sodexo is negotiating in good faith with the Teamsters Union at State University College at Oneonta and we are truly optimistic that we will reach an agreement."
She did not return a call Friday afternoon for further details on the issues.
Diane Shelton, chief shop steward, said she has been with the union for 19 years and works making pizzas. Many of the people work for Sodexo for the health insurance that currently has no doctor copays or charges for emergency room visits, she said.
"We want the same insurance _ no more, no less," among several points being negotiated, she said. For people with families, who are making between $7.15 and $16 an hour depending on seniority, she said, "people can't afford what they are offering."
"We want to go back and get it finalized," she said. "People want to move on."
