{"id":1036360,"date":"2026-09-01T05:19:19","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T05:19:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1036360\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T05:19:19","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T05:19:19","slug":"asu-aramark-workers-contract-expired-one-year-ago-heres-everything-that-happened-since","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/1036360\/","title":{"rendered":"ASU Aramark workers’ contract expired one year ago. Here’s everything that happened since"},"content":{"rendered":"

The collective bargaining agreement between Aramark<\/a> and ASU’s food service workers expired on Aug. 31, 2025. Negotiations continue to seek a new contract between workers and Aramark, the company that operates dining halls and other food services on ASU’s campuses.<\/p>\n

Since then, workers and the UNITE HERE Local 11<\/a> union representing them have staged a strike and multiple protests amid contract negotiations.<\/p>\n

The union has also sued the University over the arrest of two of its organizers outside of the undergraduate commencement ceremony in May 2026.<\/p>\n

Below is a full timeline of The State Press’s coverage, beginning with the most recent developments:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Union sues ASU, alleging First Amendment violations<\/p>\n

Aug. 13, 2026<\/p>\n

UNITE HERE Local 11 sued ASU in federal court, alleging that the ASU Police Department used excessive force while arresting two organizers at a protest outside the undergraduate commencement ceremony in May. The union argued that ASU PD violated its organizers’ <\/strong>First Amendment rights. ASU stated it only enforces legal restrictions on speech.<\/p>\n

Read the full story here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

ASU Police Department arrests two union organizers<\/p>\n

May 11, 2026\u00a0<\/p>\n

ASU police officers arrested two UNITE HERE Local 11 organizers during a protest outside Desert Financial Arena at ASU’s undergraduate commencement ceremony. The protesters were charged with trespassing. The union voiced concern about speech and assembly rights and accused the ASU Police Department of using increasingly aggressive enforcement action against the protesters.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Read the full story <\/strong>here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Sen. Mark Kelly comes to the picket line<\/p>\n

April 9, 2026\u00a0<\/p>\n

Sen. Mark Kelly joined a picket line on the Downtown Phoenix campus, bringing attention to working conditions at the Panda Express and calling on Aramark to reach an agreement with the union.<\/p>\n

Read the full story here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Panda Express employees walk out<\/p>\n

March 26, 2026\u00a0<\/p>\n

Employees at the Panda Express on the Downtown Phoenix campus staged a walkout over a lack of air conditioning or other adequate cooling devices. The union filed a formal complaint against Aramark and ASU, accusing them of failing to maintain safe working conditions.<\/p>\n

Read the full story here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Crow says workers are treated fairly<\/p>\n

March 24, 2026\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

ASU President Michael Crow told The State Press that the University is satisfied with the current contract and said the Aramark employees are treated and compensated fairly.<\/p>\n

Read the full story here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Union workers strike on campuses<\/p>\n

Feb. 18, 2026\u00a0<\/p>\n

Aramark employees went on strike across all four ASU campuses, calling for higher pay, benefits and financial security.<\/p>\n

Read the full story here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Workers vote to authorize future strike<\/p>\n

Nov. 17, 2025\u00a0<\/p>\n

Food service employees in UNITE HERE Local 11 voted to authorize a future strike. Aramark emphasized that it does not mean a strike is imminent, and the union said the vote only offers another option in the collective bargaining process.<\/p>\n

Read the full story <\/strong>here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Union holds second protest<\/p>\n

Nov. 13, 2025\u00a0<\/p>\n

The union held another protest following the first round of negotiations with the company. Employees said negotiations have been “fruitful,” but sticking points remain for further discussion.<\/p>\n

Read the full story <\/strong>here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Union holds first protest<\/p>\n

Oct. 22, 2025\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The UNITE HERE Local 11 union representing the employees organized a protest, accusing Aramark management of surveilling and interrogating staff.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Read the full story here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

This story is developing and may be updated.<\/p>\n

Carsten Oyer contributed to this story.<\/p>\n

Edited by Dhemi Bell, Emilio Alvarado, Senna James and Kate Gore.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Like The State Press<\/a> on Facebook and follow @statepress<\/a> on X.<\/p>\n

Continue supporting student journalism and donate<\/a> to The State Press today.<\/p>\n