By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, October 18 -- Workers in the UN's Delegates' Dining Room face layoffs and furloughs on October 29, when the facilities is slated to close for all except special events. On October 18, Inner City Press asked UN Under Secretary for Management Angela Kane about the layoffs. She ascribed them to the contractor Aramark, and added that only events with “over a certain number of people” will be able to use the space going forward.
Ironically, on October 18 the DDR has every table in use, with a South Korean food promotion including -- full disclosure -- free lunch for journalists. The shinsunro spicy seafood soup was particularly good. But from Ms. Kane, no reprieve.
Aramark signed a contract with the UN to run these facilities. That they can modify it with so little fanfare is surprising.
While Ms. Kane and various UN spokespeople all claim to “hope” Aramark treats its workers fairly, it appears that no one is even seeking to enforce the contract.
On October 15, the space was also full, for an event thrown by Saudi Arabia's mission to the UN. On October 25, the UN Delegates' Dining Room is being rented out, ostensibly with no control or review by the UN, for a “launch” by music personality Taylor Swift, first questioned by Inner City Press.
When Inner City Press asked who has approved this commercial venture, the response was that Aramark has the right to rent the space out. Why retain that right is Aramark is closing down its service to the UN and laying its workers off? Watch this site.
