Supporting the right of cafeteria workers at Community College of Philadelphia to freely choose whether or not to form or join a union in a fair election without management interference.

WHEREAS, Cafeteria workers at Community College of Philadelphia are involved in an organizing drive to affiliate with the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Local 274. An election has been set for Friday, April 19, 2002; and

WHEREAS, Two independent organizations, the Philadelphia Workers' Rights Board and the Interfaith Committee For Worker Justice, asked the employer, Sodexho Marriott Services, to sign a "Fair Campaign Practices Pledge." But the employer refused to sign or agree to the pledge that would respect the workers' choices and guarantee that a union election could take place without interference, pressure or reprisals; and

WHEREAS, Respecting the freedom to form a union is essential to establishing a cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship between employers and their employees. It is the foundation of a partnership that works to achieve common goals such as high productivity, quality work, safe working conditions and decent living standards; now therefore

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA

,

Hereby supports the right of cafeteria workers at Community College of Philadelphia to freely choose whether or not to form or join a union in a fair election without management interference.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be delivered to the cafeteria workers employed at Community College of Philadelphia, to the management of Sodexo Marriott Services and to the administration of Community College of Philadelphia, as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

End