230 Workers Laid Off By Northwestern Food Service Provider

EVANSTON, IL — Representatives of the food service provider at Northwestern University announced the company has sent layoff notices to about 230 of its workers at the school's Evanston and Chicago campuses.

Jennifer Byrdsong, vice president of operation for Compass Group at Northwestern, said in a statement Monday the laid off employees had been furloughed since March and will retain health benefits through at least Sept. 20.

"We are taking this step today as we have recently been advised that Northwestern’s Fall Quarter will see reduced traffic in the school’s food service locations," Byrdsong said. "Unfortunately, there will not be enough demand to support past levels of staffing."

According to Byrdsong, the company has offered assistance with filing for benefits under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, Act, and sought to offer free groceries and other assistance. Many have already reached the maximum unemployment benefits for the year, she said.

About one in five furloughed Compass Northwestern workers said they have not been able to afford groceries, according to a survey conducted by the union UNITE HERE Local 1, which represents dining hall and hospitality workers. The layoffs represent nearly two thirds of the Compass' approximately 370 employees at Northwestern.

After announcing the furloughs and pay cuts to managers back in April, Compass Group North America CEO Gary Green said he was "confident that the day will come when these Associates will return to work, managers’ salaries will be restored and we will resume normal operations."

Based in the United Kingdom, Compass Group operates in nearly 50 countries, employs more than a half-million people and generated $29 billion in annual revenue in 2017, according to the company.