House Bill 4452 leaves CMU Campus Dining employees without benefits over break

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A Michigan bill approved in November may leave many of Central Michigan University’s Campus Dining employees without benefits this winter break.

House Bill 4452, approved by Gov. Rick Snyder on Nov. 10, will eliminate unemployment benefits for educational institution employees hired by third-party contractors. Those affected will lose unemployment benefits for both winter and summer breaks.

Many of CMU’s Campus Dining employees are hired by Philadelphia-based company Aramark and will be affected by the new laws. Aramark also provides food services for Grand Valley State University and Saginaw Valley State University, along with multiple grade-school cafeterias throughout the state.

Nikki Smith, marketing manager for Central Michigan University Campus Dining, e-mailed a written response to the bill by Michelle Ingrim, human resources manager for Campus Dining. Ingrim wrote that Aramark will continue to comply with legal obligations under the new law.

“Determination of who is eligible for unemployment compensation is ultimately decided by the state. This will not change with the new law,” Ingrim stated. “Employees may continue to apply for unemployment compensation, at which point the state will determine their eligibility.”

Employees hired directly by schools and universities are unable to collect unemployment benefits between terms as well, yet the previous laws did not affect those hired by third-party contractors.

Ingrim said the law may affect Campus Dining employees differently and stated which employees were hired by Aramark.

“All full-time Campus Dining employees at CMU, including managers, are employed by ARAMARK,” Ingrim stated.