A union representing workers at Rochester, Minn.-based Mayo Clinic has filed a formal complaint protesting the system's pending switch in food service vendors, alleging a conflict of interest involving a Mayo administrator, according to a Post-Bulletin report.
The Service Employees International Union Healthcare Minnesota alleges Mayo's decision to switch from Sodexo to Morrison Healthcare for food and nutrition services at 20 Mayo campuses was "primarily influenced" by Carol Gorman, Mayo's food services administrator.
"The union believes Carol Gorman has a conflict of interest due to a long standing personal relationship with a Morrison executive," SEIU Healthcare Minnesota contends, citing Mayo's conflict of interest policy from its employee handbook.
SEIU Healthcare Minnesota President Jamie Gulley said via statement the union calls for Ms. Gorman to be relieved of her duties pending a full investigation and for officials to revisit the decision to outsource workers. The union also said it is prepared to file charges with the National Labor Relations Board if Mayo executives "attempt to cover up or withhold any information about this apparent violation."
In a prepared response, Mayo said it is reviewing the union's grievance claims and will respond as they deem it appropriate, according to the report. Furthermore, Mayo said the decision to switch food service vendors was beyond the control of one individual.
"The decision was made by Mayo Clinic management team with input provided from all sites that have a food and nutrition program. Our primary focus is on supporting our food service teams throughout this transition," the system added.
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