UA will not outsource facility workers
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The University of Arkansas announced Thursday that it will not outsource its custodial and grounds services.
John Thomas the director of Media Relations and Core Communications at the UofA said the university will be keeping the current workforce.
The university will improve the training and development of employees and their supervisors to accommodate the population and school growth, according to an email sent to employees.
Facilities workers concerned for jobs as UA considers outsourcing
“The U of A frequently performs assessments of various services throughout campus to ensure it continues to provide the best service possible to the growing university population and adequately stewards its financial and physical resources,” the email states.
The U of A said that the decision aligns with its philosophy, “One University.” The university will be looking into consolidating the current supplemental custodial and grounds services contracts.
“While our conversations with SSC were productive and had the potential for some level of cost savings, the university felt at this time, we are better served to look internally at our own structure and operational processes to cultivate efficiencies for ourselves,” the email states.
Employees had heard of potential changes in January.
Hershel Hartford is the President of the UA Fayetteville Education Association Local 965 union, which represents faculty, staff and graduate students on the University of Arkansas Campus.
He sent KNWA/FOX24 a statement regarding the university’s decision.
University of Arkansas Staff Senate offers support to custodial workers considered to be outsourced
I am pleased by the announcement that the University has decided to keep our custodial and grounds workers’ jobs in-house. This decision is a victory for our members and the entire campus community.
We have been advocating for this outcome since we were made aware of the possible outsourcing, and we are grateful that the University Administration has listened to our concerns. Outsourcing jobs would have had a devastating impact on our members and their families, and it would have also harmed the quality of education at the University.
We are committed to working with the University to ensure that all workers are treated fairly and that the campus remains a vibrant and thriving community. We believe that this decision is a positive step in that direction.
We wish to thank the community for their support and the media for their coverage of this issue.Hershel Hartford, President, UA Fayetteville Education Assoc. Local 965
According to its website, SSC manages custodial services, grounds management, facilities management and construction project management for higher education institutions and K-12 school districts.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
