School union says Sodexo sacrificing quality for savings

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — The union representing school custodians and cafeteria staff said strained relations with facilities manager Sodexo have not improved in the 18 months since the board of education hired the company.

Sodexo Vice President Mike Grey told the board Tuesday that his company has saved the district nearly $300,000 in overtime and energy costs, and that by having Sodexo purchase items like trash bags, toilet paper and safety gloves the district has saved another $146,000.

The district hired Sodexo for the 2013-14 school year on a $2.033 million contract, which increased to $2.054 million in the current fiscal year but is projected to drop to $2.044 next year.

Members of AFSCME Local 466 have long said it disagrees with the company's leadership, and at the school board meeting the union accused Sodexo of sacrificing quality and ignoring maintenance issues to save money.

"Sodexo has failed to keep the board's properties in good condition, and has failed to properly manage snow removal operations after the many storms we've had this winter," said Ed Thibodeau, staff representative for Local 466.

Thibodeau said that in January, at Woodrow Wilson Middle School, cafeteria staff smelled an odor they initially thought might be a gas leak, but Facilities Manager Judy Yoder told them to continue working. He said the school principal ordered an evacuation and the odor was later determined to be exhaust fumes containing carbon monoxide.

The school board voted to seek an independent audit of the savings projections Sodexo has provided to make sure the company's claims of savings are correct.

Several board members questioned Sodexo's policies, and expressed concern about the union's allegations.