Food Service Employees Resign from BDS, Apply for Chartwells Sch - WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

It was an emotional day for food service employees with Bay District schools as the first group of three signed forms of resignation. This is the beginning of the transition process for employees and even after workshops and public meetings, employees still have questions about the details in their future with Chartwells.  

The first group of about 50 food service employees no longer works for Bay District Schools as they are on the way to join Chartwells School Dining. For some, like Anderia Gurosky, it's the only option. 

"I have a mortgage. I have kids to take care of. I know it beats not having job but how well does it beat it, we still don't know," Gurosky said.  

The company held it's first of three meetings Monday outlining the details of the transition. But like the pots in the Mosley cafeteria, employees feel they're left hanging with unanswered questions and aren't confident in Chartwells' promises.  

"We don't know if our hours are truly going to be the same, if our pay is actually going to be the same. We don't know if we are going to continue getting paid holidays, sick leave, anything like that," Gurosky added.  

Chartwells Senior Director of Operations, Lonnie Clark says that is the point of the presentations, as the process to privatize just happened so quickly in Bay County.  

"There a lot of moving parts, a lot has happened the decision the board voted was on the 26th and there really hasn't been time to communicate effectively with the employees," Clark said.  

News 13 was not allowed in the presentation but Clark said they did answer questions about benefits, hours and salaries and if employees still have any other question they will find the answers and let them know.  

Click to the right for a list of Chartwells' frequently asked questions.