Human Rights Watch Report: Sodexo Violates Workers' Rights

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.seiu.org/2010/09/human-rights-watch-report-sodexo-violates-workers-rights.php

2:57 PM Eastern - September 4, 2010

By Kate Thomas

Right before Labor Day, a new report issued by Human Rights Watch calls out European corporations for their abuse of workers and anti-union tactics. Among the companies highlighted in the report is global food services giant Sodexo, a self-proclaimed "progressive" company.

The report asserts that Sodexo takes advantage of weaker U.S. labor laws than exist in their home country of France to carry out an aggressive campaign to keep its U.S. employees from organizing on the job.

As Sodexo workers across the U.S. continue their efforts to form a union in order to win fair and safe working conditions, respect and dignity on the job, and a voice with their employer to create stable, good jobs, HRW's report asserts that Sodexo has threatened, interrogated and fired workers who tried to form a union.

Sodexo says it Supports Employees' Right to Unionize or Not...Emphasize on "Not."

Sodexo North America says they have a "pro-employee philosophy and recognizes and respects unequivocally the rights of our employees to unionize or not to unionize, as they may so choose." And the sunshine and rainbows don't stop there:

"The decision whether or not unionize is important for our employees. Sodexo believes that <...> Our employees have the absolute right to make such a decision freely in an atmosphere that is free from intimidation, harassment or coercion. We will not discriminate against any employee for engaging in union organizing activities or otherwise supporting a union. We have consistently recognized and bargained in good faith with unions..



FULL story at link.