LETTER: Democratic Lawmakers Raise Concerns by Food Service Workers at Arizona State University

Re: Aramark Food Service Workers at ASU

Dear President Crow and Arizona Board of Regents Goodyear, Pacheco, Brewster, Mata, DuVal, Penley, Stein, McCain, Halyard, and Peru:

We are writing today in hopes of opening a constructive dialogue regarding the concerns we have heard from constituents regarding the working conditions of Aramark food service employees across the Arizona State University's (ASU) campuses. ASU and Aramark recently expanded and extended its long-standing partnership, positioning Aramark as ASU's exclusive food service provider.

On February 18, 2026, an unprecedented strike took place during which hundreds of food service workers from across four ASU campuses gathered at the Memorial Union on the Tempe Campus to call attention to their experiences working for Aramark. Many of us have listened to these employees' stories with great concern as they advocate for livable wages, reliable health care, and a safe working environment. Workers shared accounts of being unable to afford stable housing and having to take extraordinary measures just to make ends meet. These are the individuals who show up to feed tens of thousands of students and faculty, prepare meals for events, and contribute to the daily operations on our campuses.

It is our understanding that the contract Aramark obtained with ASU is a substantial expansion, with revenues projected to total nearly $2 billion over its 15-year term. This partnership is designed to maximize revenue to the University, with substantial commissions returning to the institution. While we understand ASU's position on revenue generation, considering the scale of this partnership and ASU's role in public higher education, we also believe there is a shared responsibility to protect the workers performing under this contract and ensure fair and reasonable treatment and working conditions.

Below are specific issues that have been raised where we are hoping you can help us better

understand the University's position:

1. Unfair labor practice charges have been filed with the National Labor Relations Board alleging threats against and intimidation of Aramark workers at ASU. Is ASU taking steps to ensure Aramark workers feel safe and protected from retaliation?

2. Two complaints have been filed with the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health alleging Aramark and ASU failed to address workplace heat hazards at ASU Downtown's Panda Express location, with at least one worker reportedly being hospitalized due to severe dehydration. How is the University ensuring Aramark meets its obligations to provide a safe working environment?

3. Understanding ASU receives commissions from the Aramark contract, the contract

lacks provisions requiring an adequate living wage and employment benefits. Does the

recent 15-year contract include any obligation on Aramark to uphold fair labor

standards and/or wage provisions? What leverage does ASU exercise to ensure

Aramark upholds fair labor standards? Does the agreement include labor or wage

provisions? If so, does ASU retain any authority under the contract to ensure? If so,

how are those provisions enforced?

4. ASU has not effectively engaged with the Aramark regarding this dispute. Has the University communicated with Aramark regarding the labor dispute? If so, what information, if any, has Aramark provided in response to these communications?

ASU's Charter speaks to its "fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural, and overall health of the communities it serves." We believe food service workers in our dining halls, areas and retail locations across the campuses are members of that community and their wellbeing reflects on the values of the University.

We would appreciate the opportunity to connect with you to discuss these concerns further. We appreciate your ongoing collaboration with us to support the students and communities that make our higher education institutions all that they are. We appreciate the 18-year relationship that you have built on with this new contract, and we understand that revenue generation is important to the University, but we also believe that those working on campus should have a contract that ensure that they afford to continue in their employment. Therefore, we respectfully ask that the University embrace of its role as Aramark's largest higher education partner to encourage and work with the company to adopt living wages and benefits for its employees, and to engage with food service workers who are advocating for and seeking a fair contract.

Thank you for your acknowledgement of this letters and your consideration of these concerns and questions. We look forward to hearing back from you.

Sincerely,

Senator Lauren Kuby, LD 8

Representative Brian Garcia, LD 8

Democratic Leader

Senator Priya Sundareshan, LD 18

Democratic Leader

Representative Oscar De Los Santos, LD 11

Assistant Democratic Leader

Senator Cathrine Miranda, LD 11

Assistant Democratic Leader

Representative Nancy Gutierrez, LD 18

Senator Analise Ortiz, LD 24

Representative Lydia Hernandez, LD 24

Senator Lela Alston, LD 5

Representative Lorena Austin, LD 9

Senator Eva Diaz, LD 22

Representative Stephanie Simacek, LD 2

Senator Rosanna Gabaldón, LD 21

Democratic Whip

Representative Patty Contreras, LD 12

Senator Theresa Hatathlie, LD 6

Representative Mariana Sandoval, LD 23

Senator Sally Ann Gonzales, LD 20

Representative Consuelo Hernandez, LD 21

Senator Brian Fernandez, LD 23

Representative Junelle Cavero, LD 11

Representative Betty Villegas, LD 20

Representative Stahl Hamilton, LD 24

Representative Aaron Márquez, LD 5

Representative Sarah Ligouri, LD 5

Representative Anna Abeytia, LD 24

Representative Elda Luna-Nájera, LD 22

Representative Lupe Contreras, LD 22

Representative Cesar Aguilar, LD 26