On December 11th, 2024 the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) counted the ballots for Muhlenberg College Dining Workers. The Muhlenberg Dining Workers organizing committee, who gathered on campus, cheered as they watched the vote count following their shift. Muhlenberg’s dining staff was joined by students from the Muhlenberg Student Solidarity Committee who helped organize a rally and secured hundreds of petition signatures in support of the dining workers union campaign.

Muhlenberg College dining workers went public with their union campaign just one month prior in November 2024 following a pattern of low wages; disrespect from management; unaffordable health insurance; lack of health coverage during summer breaks; and inconsistent scheduling. In light of their win, dining workers are optimistic that Sodexo will now join them at the bargaining table to negotiate a contract in good faith.

Muhlenberg College is the latest to join a union wave among Pennsylvania college and university food service workers. Since 2019, dining workers at the University of Scranton, East Stroudsburg University, Clarion University, and Kutztown University have all organized with Workers United.have all organized unions with Workers United.