Food Service Provider Pulls Out Of Salem State Contract

SALEM, MA — Aramark Educational Services LLC filed a notice with the state Department of Labor saying it will layoff 135 food service workers at Salem State University.

Last week Aramark told Salem State University officials it was walking away from the dining services contract it won last year. The notice filed with the state did not indicate whether the laid off employees would be rehired by the new food services company.

"Aramark was selected through a cross-campus process last year that brought many improvements to our dining experience. However, Aramark feels it is no longer feasible to continue this agreement," Karen House, Salem State's vice president for finance and facilities, said in a letter to the campus community.

Companies filed so-called WARN notices with the state when they are planning or considering layoffs. The effective date for the Aramark layoffs is July 17.