The recurring shortages of available food service workers that plagued NIU’s food service network last year apparently has been resolved.

Food Service Director Robert Fredrickson said a special wage increase that boosted the starting food service rate to $4.40 per hour has replenished the areas where shortages had previously been found.

“I believe that shortages of student workers might still exist in other areas, but right now we are experiencing our best worker supply in three years,” Frederickson said, adding, “I hope the trend will continue.”

Frederickson said the special increase helped offset the appeal of off-campus employment, which continually offers a more competitive wage.

Rita Mosure, unit manager for Neptune Food Service, said the shortages caused problems for an entire spectrum of university students and personnel. “Some of the kids were working extra hours, and we had managers doubling up to help offset overloaded areas,” she said.

Mosure also reported her full and part-time civil service employees worked additional hours during the crisis.

A student food service employee would normally work from 11 to 20 hours per week in three- to four-hour shifts manuevered around their class schedule. During the shortage, this transpired into longer lines and the use of disposable tableware in the absence of dishwashers.