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)

Maroon reports on unionization efforts

Finally the campaign for workers' rights at Loyola has hit the Maroon.  Read the articles below!

State of the Union
The Loyola Maroon

By PRECIOUS ESIE Assistant News Editor

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Loyola University’s Sodexo workers are trying to form a union to ensure a “shield of protection” for their jobs.

Sodexo, Loyola’s food service provider for over 20 years, is one of the world’s largest catering and facilities management companies. Not only do some employees on campus say they believe some of the company’s practices are unfair, but also employees across the nation.

Some American workers protested the staff policy  Jan. 25 at the company’s annual, general meeting in Issy-les-Moulineaux, France, a suburb of Paris.

Several Loyola workers said they believe forming a union is the best option to secure their jobs and guarantee better treatment...  (Continued)

The paper also ran an article about Terry Shelly's termination

Employee says union caused termination
The Loyola Maroon

By CRAIG MALVEAUX Senior Staff Writer

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Terry Shelly, a former Sodexo cashier in the Orleans Room, said Sodexo terminated her from her job on grounds of “theft,” but she says the reason for her firing is only a cover-up.

Shelly said that about two weeks ago, she allowed a Loyola University Police Department officer and two young men to enter the cafeteria without paying for their meals. She doesn’t deny what happened, but instead said her supervisors are unreasonably singling her out because of her role in trying to unionize dining employees, which she feels led to her termination.

 “I think I’m a target because of my role in the union,” she said. “When I first walked in the office that day, the first thing they commented was the union. They know I’m a strong person and that the students like me.”...   (CONTINUED)