City of Philadelphia - File #: 030509

• File #: 030509
• Version: 0
• Type: Resolution
• Status: ADOPTED
• File created: 6/12/2003
• In control: CITY COUNCIL
• Final action: 6/12/2003
• Title: Calling on the Cintas Corporation, the largest uniform rental provider and industrial launderer in North America, to cease its pattern of unfair labor practices in opposition to efforts by their employees to unionize, and further, urging, Starbucks Coffee Company, a company with a stated mission and a record of high standards of corporate conduct, who has recently agreed to purchase services from Cintas, to use its managerial discretion to cease doing business with Cintas until Cintas abides by these same standards in the treatment of their employees.
• Sponsors: Councilmember Ortiz, Councilmember Ortiz, Councilmember Miller, Councilmember Miller, Councilmember Mariano, Councilmember Mariano, Councilmember Goode, Councilmember Goode, Councilmember Nutter, Councilmember Nutter, Councilmember DiCicco, Councilmember DiCicco, Councilmember Kenney, Councilmember Kenney, Councilmember Tasco, Councilmember Tasco, Councilmember Rizzo, Councilmember Rizzo, Council President Verna, Council President Verna, Councilmember Reynolds Brown, Councilmember Reynolds Brown, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember Clarke, Councilmember Clarke

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
6/12/2003	0	CITY COUNCIL	ADOPTED
6/12/2003	0	CITY COUNCIL	ADOPTED
6/12/2003	0	CITY COUNCIL	READ
6/12/2003	0	CITY COUNCIL	READ
6/12/2003	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced	Pass
6/12/2003	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced	Pass

Title
Calling on the Cintas Corporation, the largest uniform rental provider and industrial launderer in North America, to cease its pattern of unfair labor practices in opposition to efforts by their employees to unionize, and further, urging, Starbucks Coffee Company, a company with a stated mission and a record of high standards of corporate conduct, who has recently agreed to purchase services from Cintas, to use its managerial discretion to cease doing business with Cintas until Cintas abides by these same standards in the treatment of their employees.
Body
WHEREAS, Cintas is the largest uniform rental provider and industrial launderer in North America with 365 plants across the country, including Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, While Cintas management has reported its 33rd year of corporate growth with US sales in 2002 of $2.27 billion and profits of $234 million, its 17,000 employees have not shared in this success; and

WHEREAS, In the United States and Canada, Cintas uniforms and mats are being cleaned by employees who are working in deplorable conditions, and are struggling to raise families on poverty wages with inadequate benefits. Moreover, every day Cintas employees handle dirty uniforms, mats and linens, and are exposed to cleaning solvents that can be harmful to humans and the environment; and

WHEREAS, When employees of Cintas have tried to collectively organize to better their conditions the company has responded with intimidation tactics. Currently, there are 76 charges pending before the National Labor Relations Board for Cintas' violations of its employees' rights to organize and over 40 lawsuits have been filed against Cintas for racial, sex, age and disability discrimination. Cintas has also been found responsible for dumping chemical pollutants; and

WHEREAS, Starbucks Coffee Company with 3784 stores in North America, including Philadelphia, recently signed a contract for apron, mat and linen service with Cintas; and

WHEREAS, St...