Northwestern is consolidating some of its Evanston Campus custodial services to a single provider — a process that could be complete by Dec. 1, an NU administrator said Monday.

Although some students have voiced concerns that workers’ rights could be violated, an official with the new provider said the company will abide by union regulations.

American Building Maintenance Industries Inc. outbid other companies currently contracting with NU for janitorial work, including Kimco Corp. and Aramark.

NU employees working through these companies have the opportunity to apply with ABM when the other contracts run out.

“This is a common occurrence within any industry where management companies change,” said Mick Schwartz, NU’s manager of custodial services.

The management change will affect custodians in non-residential buildings, such as classrooms and offices, but not dorm workers.

Eugene Sunshine, NU’s vice president for business and finance, said employees who switch to ABM should be able to maintain seniority and the same wage level.

But NU is not involved with contract negotiations, Sunshine said.

“The university’s role is not a direct one by any stretch,” he said.

ABM has not yet contacted all of the employees to inform them about the application procedure, Sunshine said.

Ron Kirsch, ABM vice president of Illinois operations, said the company is working to let potential employees know about their options.

“They all have rights and will be treated on an equal basis,” Kirsch said. “It’s just a matter of reaching some of them.”

The group of custodial workers who will be affected by the shift in management are members of the Service Employees International Union, Local 1, based in Chicago.

Kirsch said ABM must follow rules established by Local 1, so employees will be protected against losing benefits or seniority. He said there seems to be no reason to think employees are receiving unfair treatment since ABM has not finalized contracts.

“If (employees) have any problems or think things are not right, they can contact their union representative,” Kirsch said.

But members of NU Campus Greens are following the issue closely to make sure employees do not lose benefits or seniority when management shifts, said Kristina Berta, the group’s president.

The Green Party works for fair treatment of employees, and the Campus Greens want to extend that philosophy by helping custodial workers, she said.

“They’re here because students need something they can provide, and we want to be there for them,” said Berta, a Weinberg senior.

Sunshine said ABM seems to be concerned with employees’ rights. Hiring people who have already worked at NU will benefit the company as well as the employees, he said.

“My guess is that it’s in the new contractor’s best interest to hire as many people as possible who worked here with the other firms,” Sunshine said. “It helps them hit the ground running much faster.”

Although janitorial services might improve slightly through the consolidation of workers, Sunshine said the change of management probably will not be noticeable.

“The transition should be pretty seamless for faculty, staff and students in the academic buildings and offices,” he said.