In addition to creating long lines and slow service, understaffing in dining locations on campus prevents several Sodexo workers from earning a living, the Brandeis Labor Coalition asserted this week in a petition arguing for better treatment of Sodexo workers on campus.

The petition began circulation around 10 p.m. on Nov. 9 via the Brandeis Labor Coalition Facebook Page. As of 3 p.m. on Monday, the petition had 231 signatures out of the 500 signature goal. Some students have also been able to sign a paper petition by Sodexo employees at Louis’ Deli.

Dining workers and Sodexo began negotiations on June 30, the first negotiations between the two parties since Sodexo took over from Aramark in 2013, according to an April 5 Justice article. Even with new negotiated contracts this year, some Sodexo employees earn so little that they qualify for anti-poverty programs, according to a 2011 report by the human rights organization TransAfrica, as cited in the Justice article.

The goals of the petition are to “create more 40 hour union positions, stop work overload, increase staffing Fridays through Mondays, and to respect workers and their contracts,” according to the petition’s website.

The petition aims to give workers more hours than they have. According to the petition, some workers who were hired for 40 hours a week are not being given 40 hours a week, which leads to increased labor for workers and longer lines for students.

The petition asserts that if Sodexo increases hours for workers, workers will benefit by being able to earn more money, and students will benefit from shorter lines and better service. The petition will be delivered to both Sodexo and the general manager for dining services at Brandeis, Andy Allen.

—Audrey Fein