FOOD SERVICE WORKERS

Workers for the catering companies that serve most corporations earn notoriously low-wages and minimal-to-no benefits. When these workers organize for better wages and benefits, the contractors and corporations play a Òshell gameÓ, each claiming that the other prevents the improvement of their workers' compensation and working conditions.

Our San Jose anchor group has already been working with religious leaders in Santa Clara, Oakland, Monterey and the Peninsula to approach major food service contractors and the companies who employ them to promote a code of conduct that protects workers' rights and supports their legitimate needs.

They have effectively engaged denominational leadership such as the Northern California Board of Rabbis and the Lutheran Bishop in dialogue with owners as well as setting up a congregational emergency response network that has saved three worker leaders' jobs.

This campaign will be expanding to Southern California in October. Our goal is for the state's largest food service companies- and the companies that hire them -- to adopt the Code of Conduct.