Nearly 500 workers at Grand Canyon University could be affected after food services provider Sodexo announced plans to lay off employees tied to its expiring campus contract.
According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filing submitted to the Arizona Department of Economic Security, SDH Education West LLC, which operates as Sodexo, plans to lay off 489 workers at GCU’s main campus in Phoenix.
The company’s agreement to manage campus dining services expires July 14. Following a competitive bidding process, GCU selected Aramark to oversee dining, retail, catering and athletics-related hospitality programs at the university moving forward.
University officials say efforts are already underway to help transition employees affected by the contract change. GCU spokesperson Bob Romantic said Aramark has expressed interest in hiring current Sodexo workers, including both full-time employees and student workers.
According to the university, Aramark representatives recently met with employees on campus and additional meetings are expected in the coming weeks as the transition process continues.
WARN notices are commonly filed when major service contracts end, particularly in industries involving outsourced campus and hospitality operations.
