Anti-Sodexo student group stages another sit-in at UW

Thirteen students were arrested at the University of Washington on Thursday night, May 19, after they staged a sit-in inside the athletic director's office to protest the university's contract with food-services provider Sodexo, according to a news release from the students.

About 20 students — part of the "Kick Out Sodexo Coalition" — participated in the sit-in inside the office of UW's Director of Athletics Scott Woodward in the Graves Building around 3:45 p.m., said sophomore Morgan Currier, one of the protesters. Police arrested 13 students at 7 p.m., she said. They were cited for trespassing and then released, she said.

The university's Police Department confirmed the information about the arrests Friday, May 20.

The student coalition has been urging the university to cancel its contract with Sodexo, alleging the company has violated human rights. The company supplies concessions at UW athletic facilities under a five-year contract that expires in June 2012.

Two human-rights groups, Human Rights Watch and TransAfrica Forum, have released reports alleging that the global food-services provider Sodexo uses intimidation tactics to discourage unionizing and deny their workers breaks or full pay. Sodexo denies abusing workers' rights.

UW spokesman Norm Arkans said on May 20 that a committee made up of students, faculty and staff would be investigating allegations against Sodexo during the summer.

"We understand the students concerns, and we take them seriously," said Arkans. "But if, in fact, we are going to terminate the contract, we have to convince ourselves there are sufficient grounds to do so."

Arkans said that the investigation is expected to take no longer than two months.

Currier said a larger rally of about 100 students also occurred around 3:30 p.m. on May 19. Protesters chanted and marched from Gerberding Hall and headed to the sidewalks near Husky Stadium.

On May 11, more than two dozen students were arrested and cited after an hourslong sit-in at Gerberding Hall, first in the president's office, then in a conference room.

Sophomore Katy Lundgren said members of the coalition met with interim President Phyllis Wise May 18, but she told students she had no basis yet to terminate the contract.

"If this doesn't move Wise, we're going to continue to put pressure on her," Lundgren said. "We're not willing to stop until this contract is cut."

Information from The Seattle Times archives was included in this report.

Queenie Wong: 206-464-2108 or qwong@seattletimes.com