A total of 923 dining workers at the University of Kentucky are being laid off, according to a Federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) notice filed by food service company Aramark.
Aramark employs food service workers at universities, hospitals and prisons around the country. According to the notice, the company will not be retained by UK after June 30.
UK is currently exploring whether to outsource much of its facilities jobs, including its dining workers, to another private company. University spokesperson Jay Blanton said those workers are expected to be retained under the new company if the process moves forward.
“In fact, the intent of any new partner will be to hire those impacted by this announcement, subject to any new partner’s employment policies,” Blanton said in a statement. “The university has reiterated that commitment to our people and encouraged any new partner to do so.”
Workers in other departments have previously expressed concerns they would not see the same pay and benefits they currently receive under the proposed plan.
Separate WARN notices also indicate UK HealthCare is also eliminating more than 61 HIV Program Operations employees. The College of Medicine is also eliminating 36 positions in the Department of Behavioral Science.
Blanton said those positions were funded by grants that have been discontinued.
“The university is working with those impacted by the loss of this funding and the positions about whether there are other job opportunities with the university or whether they prefer to find employment elsewhere. As with university-funded positions, those impacted have received 60 days of notice and pay,” he said.
