Sodexo sends a form letter to Maroon

The chief Public Relations executive from Sodexo, Alfred King, sent a form letter to the Loyola Maroon that mirrors the rhetoric of Sodexo's open letter to SEIU's Andy Stern: denial of union busting, denial of poor working conditions, assertions of intra-union conflict as the driving force behind SEIU's campaign.  Perhaps Sodexo should spend more time listening to workers' complaints and less time running their propaganda in student newspapers.

Sodexo speaks out in self defense
The Loyola Maroon
Thursday, April 22, 2010

Dear Editor:

Sodexo proudly serves students at local public schools and universities in New Orleans. Lately, we’ve come under attack from the Service Employees International Union. SEIU is organizing student and employee activity on the campuses of Tulane and Loyola Universities based on false allegations about our business. The New Orleans community deserves an accurate picture of Sodexo.

SEIU is competing with other unions, including UNITE HERE, to organize various sectors of the labor force. SEIU’s actions in New Orleans are part of a smear campaign to force Sodexo to deal with the SEIU to the exclusion of other unions.

SEIU’s allegations are directed at Sodexo in the context of their inter-union fight. These issues are not about either Tulane or Loyola.

Sodexo is a great place to work, and was recognized this year as one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies, World’s Most Ethical companies by Ethisphere and Working Mother’s best companies for hourly workers. We’re proud of these and other honors because our employees are critical to our success...  (Continued)