A union that represents workers at Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic said it is "outraged" by the system's choice to bring in a new food vendor, according to a Post-Bulletin report.
Mayo made a tentative announcement this week that Morrison Healthcare, a national food and nutrition services company based in Atlanta, would be taking over food and nutrition services at 20 Mayo campuses. A phased transition is expected to take place in the next 12 to 18 months, Mayo spokesman Bryan Anderson said, according to the report.
But the Service Employees International Union Healthcare Minnesota was not pleased with the decision.
"Workers in these jobs provide essential services to patients at Mayo, helping to make Mayo a world-renowned hospital. We are outraged they are even talking about such [a] controversial plan, and will be fighting it at every step to ensure that Mayo patients have the best care, the hospital system is recruiting and rewarding the world's best workforce, and the city of Rochester are a safe and healthy place to live for everyone," SEIU Healthcare Minnesota President Jamie Gulley said in a written statement.
Mayo contends local employees will be offered jobs for the same pay, and that the change "will allow us to deliver consistent and enhanced food and nutrition options to our patients, visitors and staff."