Cirfood takes UvA to court over uncertainty catering staff’s future
Caterer Cirfood is taking legal action over the uncertainty surrounding the future of the catering staff who still work at UvA/HvA. The key question is whether they should be taken over by the new catering businesses.
Catering company Cirfood, which will continue to provide catering at the UvA and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA) until the end of this calendar year, is taking the matter to court over a dispute concerning the future of around sixty catering employees.
Disagreement
According to the Italian catering company, the transition to the new “management model” – in which catering will be provided by a broad group of smaller independent businesses – constitutes a “transfer of undertaking”. This is a provision under employment law that, under certain circumstances, requires employees to transfer when a company or part of it is transferred to another owner or operator. According to Cirfood, the new catering businesses must therefore take over the employees working at UvA and HvA locations.
The educational institutions do not share that interpretation. During talks last Wednesday, the UvA and HvA reiterated their position that this does not constitute a “transfer of undertaking”. In that situation, the employees remain employed by Cirfood, and responsibility for what happens to them lies with the catering company.
Ultimatum
Cirfood had given the educational institutions until October 1 to reach an agreement. Now that the deadline has passed, the company is taking legal action. The UvA and HvA were informed of this by letter.
The conflict is creating uncertainty among the catering staff. A petition in support of the employees, calling attention to their situation, has now been signed more than 1,200 times. Cirfood will, in a reduced capacity, remain involved in the university’s catering organisation as management partner.
It is not yet known when the case will be heard in court.
