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This page curates KETR's news stories related to Texas A&M University-Commerce.

University: Outsourced staff to keep jobs, pay

Texas A&M University-Commerce

Staff affected by the change will learn details of the transition at a meeting March 6.

Texas A&M University-Commerce announced Feb. 27 its intent to outsource its building maintenance, landscaping services and custodial services effective April 1. The change will affect 125 employees.

The university has signed a letter of intent with SSC Service Solutions, a subsidiary of Compass Group North America. The move is part of similar changes at campuses throughout the Texas A&M University System.

Bob Brown, vice president for business and administration for A&M-Commerce, said Friday that affected staff would be offered the equivalent of their current jobs with SSC at their current rate of pay plus a 5 percent annual increase.

Regarding benefits, staff would be offered the opportunity to transition to SSC's benefits package. Brown described SSC's benefits as "roughly equivalent" to those offered by A&M-Commerce.

SSC staff will meet with affected employees on March 6 to describe details of the transition process, Brown said. The meeting is a private one, open only to the staff in question and other directly involved parties, Brown said.

A&M-Commerce currently spends about $5.5 million annually on maintenance, landscaping and custodial services, Brown said.

The letter of intent with SSC provides for the university to pay SSC 11 percent less than that $5.5 million to provide the same services, Brown said.

Brown described the current state of the transition as the "due diligence" period with the contract expected to become finalized within 90-180 days.

SSC Service Solutions currently provides support services to over 100 educational organizations nationwide, including Texas A&M University and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, which uses the company for its custodial services. SSC Service Solutions manages facilities, custodial and building maintenance operations for Compass Group.

Mark Haslett has served at KETR since 2013. Since then, the station's news operation has enjoyed an increase in listener engagement and audience metrics, as well recognition in the Texas AP Broadcasters awards.
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