Dear Colleagues:
I am writing today with an update on our Request for Proposal (RFP) for Facilities Management services. I want to share that the State solicitation process intends to award SSC as the vendor who will provide grounds, custodial, skilled trades, and maintenance services for the next 5 years. A transition period will begin shortly to affect a “go-live” date on or about December 1. Human Resources and SSC are working with impacted employees on their options. You will recall the first step in this difficult process was in March when the RFP was posted and Facilities Management staff members were informed that the university was pursuing outsourcing, which, if successful, would result in a limited Reduction in Force (RIF).
Back in March, Winthrop employed 62 individuals in the specific positions that would be subject to the RIF. Between March and October, some of those employees chose to retire or resign from their positions. However, 39 employees remained, knowing their Winthrop jobs would very likely be eliminated. On September 19, permanent employees received a letter of appreciation from James Grigg, associate vice president for Facilities Management, that detailed a one-time bonus payment to those employees.
The letter also indicated that a meeting would be held with them where they would be introduced to hiring representatives from SSC to begin the application process for their possible employment. Despite the anticipated contract date of November 3, this meeting occurred this morning so that we were able to provide critical information to our employees regarding how the transition process would occur. At that meeting, a Winthrop benefits administrator was also tasked with explaining to employees their options for continuity of health and other insurance benefits, retirement plan payout (if applicable), etc. Additional meeting(s) will be scheduled if any employees are interested in unemployment or any services through the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.
While we regret that we could not be more communicative with employees as the RFP process unfolded, the administrative team has been working diligently behind the scenes to negotiate the best possible outcomes for our remaining employees. We sincerely hope many of these loyal employees will seek employment with SSC so we will continue to see them working on campus.
We expect SSC will have concluded their hiring and onboarding process by December 1, at which time you will begin to see employees fulfilling service requests and performing other duties on campus. SSC will also be assembling a team to augment Winthrop employees to maintain our campus until the “go-live” date. More to come on that from Kevin Butler, but I wanted to share the tentative timeline with you. Thank you for your patience during this process, as well as your care and concern for our colleagues in the Facilities Management area.
Please reach out to Kevin Butler if you have additional questions not answered here.
Sincerely,
Edward
Edward A. Serna
President
