Seaside, CA. Union workers at Cal State University Monterey Bay Food Services, members of UNITE HERE Local 483, approved a 5-year labor contract, which calls for $2.05 per hour in additional wages over the life of the agreement.  The union members voted May 5 at CSUMB with 96% approval. The contract covers 60 Sodexo employees, including cooks, cashiers, waiters, bartenders, baristas, utility and food service workers.

"I am very happy that we got fair pay increases, because it’s been so hard to get by in this down economy," said David Palacios, a 3-year CSUMB cook and member of the Local 483 negotiating committee.

The agreement, the first at CSUMB with UNITE HERE Local 483, includes annual wage increases averaging $.40 per hour over the course of the 5-year contract. Food service workers, for example, would see a 24% overall increase in their hourly wages from $8.65 to $10.70. The contract also increases company contributions to the employee health insurance and pension plans, among other benefit improvements.

Contract negotiations at CSUMB Food Services between the Union and Paris-based Sodexo began in August of last year. The new contract starts this past May 1, 2011 with the first wage increases applied retroactively to November 1, 2010.

"The key to winning this was the determination of these CSUMB workers. It’s their first contract with our union, and we are proud to have them on board," commented Local 483 Vice President, Hector Azpilcueta.

Founded in 1937, UNITE HERE Local 483 represents 1,300 Monterey Bay area hospitality workers at two dozen hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, and golf courses.

For more information, please see www.unitehere483.org.

UNITE HERE Local 483 represents 1,300 Monterey Bay area hospitality workers at two dozen hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, and golf courses.