The U.S. Chamber's Puzzling Definition of "Corporate Citizenship"

Each fall, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce awards member organizations with its "Corporate Citizenship Award" as a way of recognizing contributions to communities.

Unfortunately for the U.S. Chamber, the award is blind to a multitude of misdeeds committed by honorees. Indeed, for two years running, the U.S. Chamber has selected companies rife with problems.

One of last year's "Corporate Citizenship" awards from the U.S. Chamber was given to Bank of America just days before the collapse of our economy, which led to the bank's $45 billion bailout and $199 billion in guarantees from taxpayers. As we've previously noted, nothing says "corporate citizenship" like milking taxpayers for unprecedented billions.

The U.S. Chamber continued its curious "corporate citizenship" designations this year with an award to Aramark, a firm notorious for refusing to recognize its employees' voices. From Aramark's press release about the award:

"ARAMARK Building Community connects the expertise and passion of our people with the pressing needs of our communities, allowing them to directly impact the places where we live and work," said Frank Mendicino, ARAMARK President of Strategic Assets. "We are very proud to be recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for the extraordinary efforts of our employees."

It's odd to hear Aramark recognize the efforts of its employees, because the company's behavior to date doesn't reflect any sense of respect.

Thousands of workers at 40 Aramark facilities are currently without the full benefits of being a union member. Aramark is currently refusing to recognize workers' union and denying them the voice on the job. The company is:

holding workers' union dues money in a company controlled account. Workers have filed criminal complaints in several cities about this potentially unlawful escrow.
denying access to Workers United union representatives. Workers at Aramark locations across the country are not able to have grievances fully processed about important issues such as health and safety, seniority and pay.
and refusing to negotiate new contracts with Workers United members. Aramark is refusing to negotiate with the men and women who make the company successful

To top it off, Bay Area Aramark workers have filed living wage complaints claiming that the company is unlawfully underpaying them.

Maybe that's the idea of "corporate citizenship" of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, but it's certainly not the kind of respect Aramark employees deserve.

You can help, though. Please take a minute to speak up for Aramark employees at Indiana University of Pennsylvania who want representation at work, but have yet to receive the respect they deserve. You can take action here.