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8/3/2019 Corporations Out of Health Care
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CorporationsOutofHealthCare
8/3/2019 Corporations Out of Health Care
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CUPEResearch
Corporations Out of Health Care
ProfitdoesnothaveaplaceinOntariohealthcare.OCHUhaslongsincearguedagainst
contracting-outhealthcareworktofor-profitcorporationsandbusinesses.Payingforprofitisa
wasteoftax-payersdollars1
andusuallycontributestopoorhealthcarequalitywhichisdangeroustothepublicandtoworkers.Littletraining,fewsupplies,feelingrushed,highstaff
turnover,highstaffinjuryrates,littleteamworkandpoorworkingconditionsareoftenthe
problemsofworkingforhealthcarecorporations.
PoorWorkingConditions,HealthandSafetyViolations,ThreatsandFirings2
Oneofthewayshealthcarecorporationscutcostsinordertomakemoreprofitistocutwages
andworsenworkingconditions.Corporationshavealsopromotedanti-unionsentiment.The
HospitalEmployeesUnion(HEU),CUPEshealthcareaffiliateinBritishColumbia,helpedlaunch
theLivingWagecampaignin2007tohighlightthelowwagesofSodexo,Compass(Marquise)
andAramarkstaffwiththemessagethatworkshouldliftyououtofpoverty,notkeepyou
there.3
Sodexo:
*Protestsagainstsweatshop-likeconditionsincludingracisminhiringandpromotions,poor
wages,sexualharassmentandanunfairsick-leavepolicypromptedaprotestinsixcountriesin
June20114andAmericanuniversityprotestsincludingMay2011atOhioStateUniversityand
UniversityofWashington.5InJanuary2011,TransAfricaForumreleasedareportaboutthemistreatmentofworkersbySodexoinfivecountries:Morocco,Columbia,theDominican
Republic,FranceandtheU.S.
6
1 Privatecontractorcostoverrunsarenotorious.RecentpublicsectorexamplesarenotedinaCUPEfactsheet
Factsaboutsolidwasteservices.(2010,May18).http://cupe.ca/privatization/solid-waste-services.Abandoned
contractsalsoaddtocostcontractorcostoverrunspaidbythetaxpayer.Forinstance,seethisstoryexplaining
howSodexoabandonedafoodpreparationplanthalfwaythroughthecontractinTennesseein2007inHodge,
Hope.(2011,April4).CompanysupplyingfoodLejeunesubjectofcontroversy.MCTRegionalNews.Jacksonville,
NorthCarolina.2 Formoreinformation,clickontheHospitalEmployeesUnionwebsiteatwww.heu.org3LivingWageCampaign.fromhttp://www.heu.org/campaigns-issues/living-wage-campaign.Retrieved
August31,2011
4Glasstetter,Josh.(2011,June7).SodexoWorkersandGlobalUnionCoalitionTakeActionforWorkersRights-EventsinSix
Nations.http://cleanupsodexo.org/2011/06/sodexo-workers-and-global-union-
coalitio.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter 5 Pyle,Encarnacion.(2011,May24).PolicebreakupcampusprotestatGee'soffice.MCTRegionalNews.Ohio andWong,
Queenie.(2011,May20).Anti-Sodexostudentgroupstagesanothersit-inatUW.MCTRegionalNews.Seattle .Formore
information,clickonhttp://kickoutsodexo.usas.org/6 TransAfricaForum.(2011,January).VoicesforChange:SodexoWorkersFromFiveCountriesSpeakOut .
http://transafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Soxedo%20Report%20Final%20with%20graphics%20Jan%202011.pdf
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*RacialDiscriminationLawsuit:Abilliondollarclass-actionracialdiscriminationlawsuitwasfiled
intheUnitedStatesagainstSodexo.Sodexosettledbypaying$80milliontothousandsof
racializedemployees.ThestaffarguedthatSodexopromotionswerebasedonpersonal
preferencesratherthancriteria-basedandthatracismensued7
*Workersfiredandthreatened:A2010HumanRightsWatchreportfoundthatSodexothreatenedandfiredworkerswhotriedtounionize.EvidencewasgatheredfromU.S.labour
decisions,employeecourttestimonyandworkerinterviews8
*Strikes:1400healthcarestaffrepresentedbytheHospitalEmployeesUnion(HEU),CUPEs
healthcareaffiliateinBC,wentoutonaseven-weekstrikeagainstSodexoin2005mainlyover
rock-bottomwages.Forinstance,workersdoingimportanthospitalcleaningworkmadeabout
$10/hourbeforethestrikeandabout$13/hourafterthesettlement.9Therehavebeenother
strikesagainstSodexoinmanydifferentcountriesincludingtheUnitedKingdom10
*Anti-Union:A1998Sodexohandbookformanagersexplainedhowtoavoidunionsinthe
workplace.Themanualadvocatesbanningunionactivityfromcompanypremises,encouragesmanagerstotalkonaone-to-onebasistotryanddissuadeemployeesfromjoiningaunionand
informingapotentiallystrikingemployeethathe(sic)canbereplacedifhedoesstrike11
Compass:
*HealthandSafetyViolations:WorkSafeBC(BritishColumbiagovernmentshealthandsafety
agency)failedCompassintwoinspectionreportsfrom2008and2009.Healthcarecleaning
workersdidnothaveaccesstoPPE(PersonalProtectiveEquipment)suchasgoggles,chemical
glovesandboots,andrespiratorsthatcausedskinirritations,respiratoryproblems,hairloss,and
noseinflammation12
7 Sodexho:CorporateCrimes.Powerbasewebsite.August14,2007
http://www.powerbase.info/index.php/Sodexho:_Corporate_CrimesandSodexhoAlliance.(2009,April3).Knowmore.org
http://knowmore.org/wiki/index.php?title=Sodexho_AllianceandWest,Karl.(2009,February24).Sodexounderfireover
defencedeal;cityFOCUS.DailyMail,LondonUK.8 AStrangeCase:ViolationsofWorkersFreedomofAssociationintheUnitedStatesbyEuropeanMultinationalCorporations.
(2010,September).HumanRightsWatchhttp://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/bhr0910web_0.pdfinOlive,David.
America,theworld'ssweatshop(2011,May11).TorontoStar.
9 SodexhoworkersratifyReadyrecommendations(2005,December9)andLRBappointsVinceReadyasmediatorinSodexhodispute(2005,November4).www.heu.org
10Sodexhoprofile.(2009,April3)www.knowmore.org
11Crocodyl:Sodexoprofile,downloadedAugust16,2011http://www.crocodyl.org/wiki/sodexho_allianceandSodexho
Alliance.(2009,April3).Knowmore.orghttp://knowmore.org/wiki/index.php?title=Sodexho_Alliance
12Spalding,Derek.(2010,May21).HousekeepinglinkedtoC.diff;Documentsshowexpertsblamedcleanersforillness.Harbour
CityStarandWCBissuesorderstoVIHAcleaningcontractor.(2009,January7).HEUNewsRelease.
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Aramark:
*In2008,AramarkworkerswentonstrikeatMarkhamsSenecaCollegefightingtoraisetheirless
than$10/hourwages13
Veolia(aSteriProParentCompany):
*TheTransportSalariedStaffsAssociationaUKbasedunioninOctober2006saidthatVeolia
(formerlyConnex)wasfoundguiltyofbreakingemploymentlaw14
InvestigationsandFraudAllegations:CanTheseCorporationsBeTrusted?
For-profithealthcarecorporationsoftenhavelonglistsoffraudchargesassociatedwiththeir
names.Sodexo,Compass,AramarkandVeoliaarenoexception.
*InJune2011,theU.S.DepartmentofAgriculturebeganinvestigatingSodexo,Compass(andthe
CompassaffiliateChartwells)andAramarkforthepossibilityofwithholdingdiscountsfrom
schooldistrictsotherwiseknownasfraud.Thesamecompanieswerefoundin2005tonotpass
onsavingstoschooldistrictstothetuneof$1.3million.Another$4.7millionmayalsobe
missingbutU.S.DepartmentofAgricultureauditorscouldntdeterminethisbecauseofthetype
ofaccountingsystemsusedbythecorporations!15
Sodexo:
*InJuly2010,Sodexopaid$20milliontoNewYorkstateafteritallegedlyoverchargedforfoodin
publicschools16
*AccountingirregularitiesoccurredforSodexoinIrelandandtheUKin2002whichwasthe
likelycauseofa30percentdropinSodexostockpriceatthattime17
13CUPE79.(2008,March14).LettertoRickMilnersupportingthestrikingAramarkFoodServiceandCleaning
workersatSenecaColleg.http://local79.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=286:letter-to-rick-
milner-supporting-the-striking-aramark-food-service-and-cleaning-workers-at-seneca-college&catid=25:recent-
letters&Itemid=1214 GlobalInvestmentWatch.(2008,November6).VeoliaEnvironnement:AGlassHalfEmpty?
http://globalinvestmentwatch.com/veolia-environnement-a-glass-half-empty/RetrievedAugust26,2011.And
RichardRosser,generalsecretaryoftheTransportSalariedStaffs'Associationrailunion,said:"Thisnewsisnot
surprising-Connexhasalwaysbeentheproblemchildoftheprivatisedrailway.Itspassengersanditsemployeeshavecertainlyfeltthebruntofpoorperformanceinthepast."inTran,Mark.(2003,June27).OnlyConnex.
guardian.co.uk15 Shah,Nirvi.(2011,June24).USDAtoProbeCompaniesRunningSchoolCafeterias.MCTRegionalNews.
Bethesda,Maryland.16 Karlin,Rick.(2010,July21).Cuomo:Sodexhoswallowsfine.CapitolConfidential.
http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/29802/cuomo-sodexo-swallows-fine/andStamford,Janie.(2010,
July22).SodexoagreestopayNewYorkState$20m.CatererSearch.com.
http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/2010/07/22/334368/sodexo-agrees-to-pay-new-york-state-20m.htm
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*In2001,FrancesCompetitionCouncilfinedSodexoforformingananti-competitivealliancewith
twoothercompanies18
Compass:
*AllofthecontractswithEurestSupportServicesweresuspended(parentcompanyCompass
Group)whenaUnitedNations(UN)officerpleadedguiltytocorruptionandwirefraudcharges.TheUNofficersenttheexecutivesattheCompassaffiliatedocumentsillegally.Eurest(or
Compass)wasprovidingfoodforUNtroopsinAfricainacontractworthatleast$237million.
Compassisinvolvedinacongressionalinquiry,U.S.federalcriminalinvestigationandaprobeby
theUNasaconsequence19
Veolia:
*Thereisaclass-actionlawsuitonbehalfof250,000customersinIndianapolisthatallegesthat
Veoliaoverchargedcustomersbyoverestimatingtheirwaterusage20
*Veoliawasmadetopay$746,600Americandollarswhenitwasfoundguiltyofcolludingwitha
formerRockland,Mainesewersuperintendentinordertowinacontract21
ProperStaffingLevels:HowCanHealthCareStaffWorkingforCorporationsBeExpectedto
ProduceQuality?
Althoughpublichealthcareprovidershavecutandarecurrentlycuttingstaffinglevels,health
carestaffworkingforcorporationshaveseenlowstaffinglevelsandpoormanagementforalong
time.Notenoughworkerswhoarerushed,poorlytrainedandwithinadequatesupplies-often
workingwithlittleteamwork,poorsupervisionandhighstaffturnoveraffectsquality.
*In2010,aQubecthinktank22releasedastudythatdescribedCanadianpatientsnoteatingandlosingweightashospitalfoodwasawfulwhenitwascontractedouttocorporations23
17 Sodexho:CorporateCrimes.Powerbasewebsite.August14,2007
http://www.powerbase.info/index.php/Sodexho:_Corporate_Crimes18 Sodexho:CorporateCrimes.Powerbasewebsite.August14,2007
http://www.powerbase.info/index.php/Sodexho:_Corporate_Crimes19 Russell,GeorgeandClaudiaRosett.(2006,February10).U.N.ProcurementScandal:HowFarDidtheInside
InformationTravel?FoxNews.com.http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,184495,00.html20Welch,MaryAgnes.(2010,May21).Veoliadefendsrecordascriticslineup.WinnipegFreePress .
21 Lightman,A,Rockland.(2008,July1).Sewercorruptioncasebeganin1998;Firmpaysup,endingscandal.ThePatriot
Ledger.Inhttp://www.powerbase.info/index.php/VeoliaRetrievedAugust26,2011.22Institutderechercheetd'informationssocio-conomiques(IRIS)atwww.iris-recherche.qc.ca
23 Derfel,Aaron.(2010,February2).Superhospitalfoodunderstudy;Thinktankforeseesproblems;Outsourcingmeal
servicewillhikecosts,lowerquality,newreportcontends.MontrealGazette andHbert,Guillaume(2010,February).New
CHUM/MUHC:Byoutsourcingfoodservice?IRIS.http://www.iris-
recherche.qc.ca/publications/nouveaux_chumcusm_vers_la_sous-traitance_des_services.pdf
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*In2008,thegovernmentofScotlandorderedanendtothecorporatedeliveryofcleaning,
cateringandclinicallyrelatedsoftfacilitiesmanagementservicesduetoqualityconcerns.
C.difficileandothersuperbugswereincreasingaftercleaningworkwascontracted-out24
*In2005,aCentreforPolicyAlternativesstudyfoundthelowwage/highstaffturnoverconditions
ofprivatizedcleaningledtodecliningBritishColumbiahospitalhygiene.25
LowstaffinglevelsandalackofteamworkwerealsofoundtodeterioratehospitalcleaninginBC26
Sodexo:
*InNewMexicoinMay2011,dangerousfoodwasreportedatanelementaryschool.Atapress
conference,workersatColinasdelNorteElementaryschoolsaidthattheyweretoldbySodexoto
servegreenburgers,moldybreadandsmellylunchmeat.Non-unionizedworkerstookpicturesto
protectthemselvesfrombeingfired27
*ItwasreportedinMay2011,thattheSodexojailinScotlandhadreceivedmorethandoublethe
numberofcomplaintsthananyotherScottishjailsinceitopenedinDecember2008.28
ThePrisonServiceUnionarguesthatthestafflevelsaretoolowcausinghighlevelsofviolence29
24 http://cupe.ca/updir/LetterreScottishcontractingout.pdf.(HealthFinanceDirectorate.JohnMatheson.Re.
OutsourcingofSoftFacilitiesManagementServicesinNHSScotland.October20,2008.)Superbugsareatermfor
bacterialinfectionsthatcurrentlydonothaveananti-bioticcure.25 Pollak,Nancy.Cohen,Marcy.Stinson,Jane.(2005,April27).ThePainsofHealthCarePrivatization.Canadian
CentreforPolicyAlternatives.
http://www.policyalternatives.ca/index.cfm?act=news&do=Article&call=1088&pA=A2286B2A&type=5 26
Contractingoutledtoabreakdowninteamwork,whichisanessentialdeterminantofhighqualitycareinhealthcarefacilities.Whencleanersarepartofthehealthcareteam,theyareabletorespondtonursingand
patientrequestsforextrahelp.WhencleanerswerecontractedoutatSt.PaulshospitalinBritishColumbia,they
werenotallowedtotalkwithpatientsortoasknursingstaffforhelp.(Pollack,N.(October2004).Falling
Standards,RisingRisks:IssuesinHospitalCleanlinesswithContracting-out.Vancouver,BC.Availableonlineat
http://www.heu.org/~DOCUMENTS/research_reports/falling_standards_rising_risks.pdf)inJansen,Irene.(2009).
HealthcareAssociatedInfections:ABackgrounder.CUPEResearch.http://cupe.ca/health-care/health-care-
associated-infections.Insomefacilities,nurseswereprohibitedfromspeakingdirectlywithcleaners,havingto
callanexternalnumbertoregisterspills,forexample.Jansen,Irene.(2009).HealthcareAssociatedInfections:A
Backgrounder.CUPEResearch.http://cupe.ca/health-care/health-care-associated-infections27 Briseno,ElaineD.(2011,May18).FoodFight:BrisenoMoldyBunsatSchool?MCTRegionalNews.
AlbuquerqueJournal,NewMexicao.Workers,Roybal-Mack(aworkerattheschool)said,wereinstructedto
scrapeoffthemoldfromsomehamburgerbunsandservethem.Roybal-Macksaidworkersalsocomplainedthat
onadifferentoccasiontherewaslunchmeatthathadabadodorandwasdiscoloredRoybal-MacksaidtheworkerscontactedtheStateBarofNewMexicobecausetheywereafraidthechildrenattheschoolwouldgetsick
andtheywantedparentstoknowwhatwashappeningShesaidtheworkerswerereprimandedwhentheythrew
awayfoodandfearedretaliationforspeakingout.Theytookpictures,shesaid,toprotectthemselvesfrombeing
fired.28 McEwen,Alan.(2011,May30).80complaintsaweekmadebyinmatesatprivateprison.EveningNews.
Edinburgh,Scotland.29 Reynolds,Rory.(2011,March10).Inspectorslamsprivatejailoverhighlevelsofviolence.EveningNews.
Edinburgh,Scotland.
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*InHamiltonattheChedokehospitalandMcMasterUniversityMedicalCentrebefore2002,
publicemployeeshadtocomeintocleanareastheprivatecontractorcleanersdidnthavetime
toclean.SometimesbloodandurinewerestillleftonthewallsattheHamiltonhospitals30
*In2005,aWCBinspectionreportforahospitalcleanedbySodexoinSurrey,BCstatedthat
Sodexodidnothaveanadequateoccupationalhealthandsafetyprogram,insufficienttrainingandpoorcleanersupervision.Inthatsamehospital,newmotherssufferedseriouspost-Cesarean
birthinfections31
*In2001,inCapeCod,Massachusettsathumbsandwichwasservedupwhenanautomatic
slicerwasnotcleanedafteraSodexoworkercutherthumbatBarnstableHighSchool32
Compass:
*In2011,theUniversityofWinnipegdumpedtheCompassfoodcontractduetopoorfood
qualityandnowoffersmorenutritiouslocalfood.33UniversitypresidentLloydAxworthysaysthat
theuniversitymadeamilliondollarsmorethisyearsinceendingthecontractwithCompass34
*In2010,afingernailwasfoundintheCompasssoupatthePeterboroughhospital35
*In2010,aBritishColumbiaCentreforDiseaseControlreportwasreleasedthatshowedCompass
didnottrainitshospitalcleaningstaffproperly,didnothireenoughcleaningstaffandover-
dilutedcleanertoproducedangerouslyuncleanconditionsinBChealthcarefacilities36
*InBritishColumbiain2008and2009,WorkSafeBCreportedalackofpropertrainingof
Compasshealthcarecleaningstaff.Impropercleaningwasoneofthemainreasonsforadeadly
30 MikeWalters,CUPE4800inTomWalker(2002,May1).WhoisSodexho?HEUandCUPEBCat
www.labournet.net/world/0209/sodprofile.pdfviewed30/08/03in
http://www.crocodyl.org/wiki/sodexho_alliance2007.
31 OH&SCanada.(2005,January1).Poorcleaningpracticesahealthconcern.
32 CapeCodTimes.(2001,March2).SlicernotcleanedafterworkercutherthumbinSodexho:Corporate
Crimes.Powerbasewebsite.August14,2007from
http://www.powerbase.info/index.php/Sodexho:_Corporate_Crimes33Freshfoodstartslosingitsvitaminsassoonasitispicked.Formoreinformation,clickon
http://homecooking.about.com/od/cookingfaqs/f/faqcannedfood.htm34Allan,Doug.(2011,May27).Universitydumpscorporatefoodandgetsfreshinstead.Leftwords.
35 TheBellevilleIntelligencer.(2011,January6).Hospitalfoodcanbebad,but....
36 HarbourCityStar.(2010,July23).CommissionerslamsVIHAoversecrecy;Noreasonforinformationdelay
overC.difficile.AndMatas,Robert.(2011,May5).C.difficiledeathsathospitalsshouldn'tbereducedtoa
numbersgame.TheGlobeandMail.AndBCCentreforDiseaseControl.(2010).InvestigationofaClostridium
difficileassociateddiseaseoutbreakatNanaimoGeneralRegionalHospitalAugust2008.
http://www.viha.ca/NR/rdonlyres/DD089EA3-E33F-4ED3-AE34-
C08975093FEC/0/bccdc_cdad_investigation_report.pdf
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2008c.difficile37outbreaksaidinfection-controlexpertswiththeVancouverIslandHealth
Authority38
*In2011,Chartwells(aCompassGroupcompany)received18food-safetyviolationsin21
London,Englandhighschools39
*In2005,environmentalhealthinspectorsgaveMorrison(Compassaffiliate)ahigh-hazard
ratingforRoyalJubileeHospitalsfood-preparationareasinVictoria,BritishColumbia.Findingsof
theinspectorsreportincluded:kitchenworkersnotwearingpropergear,foodnotbeing
protectedfromcontamination,inadequatecoolingandrefrigeratedstorageoffood40
Aramark:
*PoormanagementfromAramarkmaybelinkedto16hospitaldeathsduetoC.difficileinthe
Niagaraareaduringtheearlypartof2011becauseofinsufficientcleaning41
*InJune2011adeadmousewasfoundinprisonsoupinoneKentuckyprisonwhereAramarkishiredtoprovidethefood.Aramarkhasa$12millioncontractwiththestatetoprovideprison
food42
*In2010,inAlberta,highschoolcafeteriasrunbyAramarkhadthemosthealthviolations
accordingtoAlbertaHealthServicesrestauranthealthinspectionreports.Violationsincludeda
lackofcertifiedfoodsafetytrainingforworkersaswellasalackofsneezeguards43
*HEUfinallyobtainedthe2003AramarkbusinesscasebytheVancouverCoastalHealthAuthority
in2008aftera3year-longfreedomofinformationrequest.Thedocumentshowedthat
37Clostridiumdifficile(c.difficile)isahealthcareacquiredinfection(HAI)-alsoknownasasuperbugsinceit
cannotbecuredwithcurrentantibiotics.38 Spalding,Derek.(2010,May21).HousekeepinglinkedtoC.diff;Documentsshowexpertsblamedcleaners
forillness.HarbourCityStar.
39OBrien,Jennifer.(2011,March9).Badeats;Of21LondonhighschoolsinspectedbytheMiddlesex-LondonHealthUnit,eight
arewrittenupwithatotalof18violations.TheLondonFreePress .
40CUPE.(2005,July21).InnovationExposed:AnongoinginventoryofmajorprivatizationinitiativesinCanadashealthcaresystem.fromhttp://cupe.ca/HealthCarePrivatization/InnovationExposed:2005articlesfrompages23
and24.41 Gillis,Wendy.(2011,July7).Niagarahealthsystemattacked;Politiciansjoinprotestorsinvoicing
frustrationsasC.difficileoutbreakblamedfor16deaths.TorontoStar.42 HoneycuttSpears,Valarie.(2011,June3).Kentuckyinmatefounddeadmouseinsoup.LexingtonHerald-
Leader.43 Gerson,Jen.(2010,September1).Cleanlinessatschoolcafeteriascomesunderfire;Cafeteriasfacehealth
violations.CalgaryHerald.
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Aramarkhadcutthenumberofcleaninghoursby15%intheircontractwiththeHealthAuthority
areductionof153,500cleaninghoursannually44
*In2005,inBC,aninvestigationbyHEUandtheBCNursesUnionfounddeterioratedcleaning
standardsatVancouversSt.Paulshospitalsixmonthsaftercleaningserviceswerecontracted
outtoAramark45
Veolia:
*NotlongafterVeoliabeganrunningAdelaideAustraliaswaterandsewage,therewasa
powerfulsmellknownasthebigpong.Thegovernmentinvestigatedandreportedthatitwas
duetoinadequatemonitoringandequipmentfailuresbyVeolia46
TheCorporateEnvironmentalRecord:AreTheseCompaniesClean?
Environmentalstewardshipisanimportantpartofpreventinghealthcareproblems.Any
corporationemployedbytheprovinceshouldhaveacleanenvironmentalrecordcorrect?With
somedigging,oftencorporationscancomeupdirty.
*SodexowasinvolvedintheclearingofvirginmangroveforestsinNigeriabefore2003,putting
theindigenousIjawcommunityunderseverethreat47
*SodexohashadcontractswithnumerousnaturalresourceexploitingcompaniessuchasBP
Amoco,Chevron,ExxonMobil,OccidentalPetroleum,Shell,Texaco,Bechtel,Daewoo,Hyundai,
CaspianDrilling,RioTintoandHalliburton48
*Compasswasfined$225,000in2009forfailingtoreportthatinadequatelytreatedwastewaterdumpedintotheAthabascaRivernearFortMcMurray,Alberta49
*Veolia(formerlyknownasVivendi)subsidiariesreceivedlargefinesintheUnitedKingdomfor
pollutingthewiderenvironment50
44CUPE.Privatizationdealslasheshospitalcleaning.(2008,February25).
http://cupe.ca/privwatchfeb08/Privatization_deal_s 45Privatizedcleaningahealthhazard.(2005,January28).
http://cupe.ca/P3_Alert__January_2005/Privatized_cleaning_a_hea46
Welch,MaryAgnes.(2010,May21).Veoliadefendsrecordascriticslineup.WinnipegFreePress.47 www.earthisland.org/map/ltfrn_112.htm#africaviewed08/07/03.Alsosee
www.corporatewatch.org.uk/news/female_protest_nigeria.htminSodexho:CorporateCrimes.Powerbaseweb
site.August14,2007inhttp://www.powerbase.info/index.php/Sodexho:_Corporate_Crimes48 Sodexho:CorporateCrimes.Powerbasewebsite.August14,2007From
http://www.powerbase.info/index.php/Sodexho:_Corporate_Crimes49 Healing,Dan.(2010,December23).SpillnetsSuncor$200,000fine.EdmontonJournal.
50 AReportby PublicCitizen:VeoliaEnvironment, aCorporateProfile,(p5-10)Accessed15October2008in
Powerbasewebsite.http://www.powerbase.info/index.php/VeoliaRetrievedAugust26,2011.
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TheStruggletoStopCorporateTakeoversand,ShouldWeWorktoReturnAllHealthcareWork
tothePublicSector?
Forallthereasonsabove(andmore),OCHUisdedicatedtopreventinganycorporatetakeoverof
healthcareworkinOntario.Corporationscanbemuchmoredifficultemployersanditcanbemuchmoredifficulttoproducequalityworkwhenworkingforcorporations.
ForthoseOCHUmemberswhocurrentlyworkforhealthcarecorporationssuchasSodexo,
AramarkorCompass,changingyouremployerandworkingdirectlyforahospitalorlongterm
careorganization,doesnotmeanlosingyourjob.Infact,yourcurrentworkingconditionscould
beinjeopardyifyouremployerchangestoanothercorporationor,ifthecontractflips.
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*AttheElisabethBruyereCentrehospitalinOttawa,CUPE4266-04representedAramarkworkers
doinghousekeepingdutiesuntil2006.51In2006,arbitratorRussellGoodfellowawardedthesame
wagesassimilaremployeesworkingforapublichospital.Afterthis,thehousekeepingcontract
wasnotrenewedwithAramarkandtheworkwasbroughtin-house.Noonelosttheirjob,asall
workersweretransferredtothehospitalandthewageincreaseremained52
*InCalifornia,Local3299oftheAmericanFederationofState,CountyandMunicipalEmployees
(AFSCME)wonafour-yearfighttoendafoodservicecontractwithSodexoin2008.Nearly200
workers,thenemployedbySodexo,weretakenin-house53
*AtJosephBranthospitalinBurlington,Ontario,in2011,however,thefoodservicescontract
flippedfromAramarktoCompass.AlthoughjobswilltransfertoCompass,therehasbeenno
guaranteethatwages,benefitsandthetermsofthecontractwilltransfer,includingthe
memberspensionplan54
*Therewasnoguaranteethatthesameworkerswouldbehiredwhenthehealthcarecleaning
contractflippedfromCompassGrouptoMarquiseinVancouverIslandinearly2011
55
*CUPEhasbeenfightingtoupholdthearbitratedcontractforCUPE4429healthcareworkersat
theMontfortLongTermCareCentreinOttawa.TheworkwascontractedouttoCompassbefore
2006andasofFebruary11,2007Compassendedthecontractandthehealthcarecentre
flippedtheworktoanothercontractor-NovaServicesGroup.Keepingtheworkcontractedout
hasmeantacontinualstruggletoupholdamajorNovember2006arbitratedawardwherewages
wereraisedfrom$8.25-$10perhourto$16.63perhour56
*OCHUisinvolvedinacampaigntopreventthecorporatetakeoverofhospitalfoodinKingston,
Ontario.57AuniversitystudyaboutthepossibleprivatizationofKingstonhospitalfoodisdueout
sometimeOctober2011.58InNovember2010,Kingstoncitycouncilorspassedamotionthe
stronglyencouragedtheKingstonhospitalboardtokeepfoodservicesin-house.59
51CUPE4540.MemoireDEntenteentreLeServicedesantSCOetLeSyndicatCanadiendelaFonctionPublique,
Local4540.Objet:TransfertdesemployssyndiqusduServicedentretientmnagerdAramarkCanadaLtd.Au
ServicedesantSCO.52LancastersCollectiveBargainingeNewsletter.(2006,November30).IssueNo.1
http://www.lancasterhouse.com/services/cb/cb-e-bulletin.asp53Christensen,Kevin.(2008,April25)AFSCMEWinsFoodServiceOutsourcingFightatUniversityofCalifornia-
Davis.AFL-CIOCenterforStrategicResearch.http://blog.aflcio.org/?s=sodexho&cat=-11&submit.x=0&submit.y=054OCHUMediaAdvisory.(2011,June26).
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2011/26/c9244.html?view=print55Stueck,Wendy.(2011,April11).Hospitalstoughenstandoncleanliness;Islandhealthauthoritysnew
housekeepingcontractgivesworkersUVlightstomakedetailedsanitarychecksofpatientsrooms.TheGlobe
andMail.AndHEU.(2011,August12).UpdateforHEUmembersemployedbyCompassatVIHAsites.56CUPE.(2007,February6).MontfortLong-termCareCentresshame:atwo-tierwagesystem.Montfortskirting
arbitrationawardbycontractingoutsupportservicestonewcompany.AndCUPE(2006,December4).Victory
forCompass-employedworkersatMontfortlong-termcarefacility.57Clickhereformoreinformationhttp://www.ochu.on.ca/kingston_general_hospital.htmland
www.kingstonfoodfight.ca58UniversitytostudyfoodsituationatKingstonhospitals.(2011,May2).TheKingstonWhig-Standard.
59Hutchins,Bill.(2010,November25).CityjoinsoutsourcingfoodfightatKGH.KingstonEMC.
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InterestingFactsandFiguresonCompass,Sodexo,AramarkandDalkia/Veolia(SteriPro)
CompassGroup:
Acontractfoodserviceandsupportservicecompany60
8,857officesworld-wide,including290CompassheadquartersmainofficeChertsey,Surrey,England
Canadianofficesineveryprovince,Tulita,NorthWestTerritoriesandWhitehorse,Yukon61
AffiliatedtoMorrison,Chartwells,boughtBeaverFoodsinCanada62andMarquise63
$22,866.67millioninsales(gross)asofSeptember201064
CEORichardCousinsreceivesabasesalaryof910,400Englishpounds65
Sodexo(formerlySodexhoAlliance):
Contractfoodserviceandfacilitiesmanagementcompany66involvedwithmilitary
operations,oilandnaturalresourceextraction,prisons(includingimmigrantdetention
centresinEngland)andlobbyingforpublic-private-partnerships(P3s)67
1,013officesworld-wide,including25SodexhoheadquartersmainofficeIssy-les-
Moulineaux,France
CanadianofficesinQubec,NovaScotia,OntarioandBritishColumbia68
BoughtMarriottinCanada69
$19,375.12sales(gross)asofAugust201070
CEOMichelLandelssalary,bonusandoptionswas$4.1millionin200971
60http://www.compass-group.com/Who-we-are-group.htm(retrievedAugust25,2011)
61Hoovers,accessedAugust16,2011.www.hoovers.com
62SCFPQuebec.(2003,December16).CUPEinBrief.
63HEU.UpdateforCompassVIHAmembers.(2011,August12).http://www.heu.org/publications/update-
compass-viha-members.64Hoovers,accessedAugust16,2011.www.hoovers.com
65Moore,James.(2011,February2).PirctargetsexcessivepayatCompassandParagon.TheIndependent.
66"ContactUs."SodexoRetrievedAugust24,2011.67SodexhoProfilewww.knowmore.org.RetrievedAugust24,2011.
68Hoovers,accessedAugust16,2011.www.hoovers.com
69SCFPQuebec.(2003,December16).CUPEinBrief.
70Hoovers,accessedAugust16,2011.www.hoovers.com
71Saltmarsh,Matthew.(2010,January25).U.S.UnionPlanstoServiceUpaProtestatSodexosAnnualMeeting
TheNewYorkTimes.
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Aramark:
AnAmericanfoodservice,facilities,andclothingprovidersupplyingbusinesses,
educationalinstitutions,sportsfacilities,andhealthcareinstitutions72
1,716officesworld-wide,including46AramarkheadquartersmainofficePhiladelphia,
Pennsylvania,U.S.
CanadianofficesineveryprovinceexceptPrinceEdwardIsland
$12,297.90millioninsales(gross)asofSeptember201073
CEOJosephNeubauersalaryin2010of$1millionU.S.dollarswith$1.35millionin
bonuses74
Dalkia(SteriProandSterience):
SteriPro(affiliatedwithDalkia)providesoutsourcedsurgicalinstrumentsreprocessingandsterilizationservices.ServicesareoftendeliveredundertheSteriencebrandname75
Hoovers(acorporatedatabasewebsite)lists450companiesworldwideunderDalkia
Oneofthelocations-DalkiaEnergiainBudapest,Hungarylisted$231.9millioninsales
(gross)
DalkiaCanadaisasubsidiaryofVeoliaEnvironnementandElectricitdeFrance76
DalkiaCanadaisbasedinToronto
DalkiaCanadaprovidesutilitiesmanagementandinfrastructuremanagementwithakeyfocusonenergyefficiencyandenvironmentalmanagement77
VeoliaEnvironnementworksinmunicipalandindustrialsectorsinparticularwater,
environmentalservices,energyservicesandpassengertransportation78
ElectricitdeFranceisinvolvedwithenergyandelectricityincludingnuclearpower79
VeoliaEnvironnement(VE)CEOAntoineFrrotcollected1.2millioneurosin201080
72"ContactARAMARK."Aramark.RetrievedAugust25,2011.
73Hoovers,accessedAugust16,2011.www.hoovers.com74Hoovers,accessedSeptember13,2011www.hoovers.com
75http://www.dalkia.ca/en/services/surgical-sterilization/ .RetrievedAugust26,2011.
76Hoovers,accessedAugust26,2011.www.hoovers.com
77http://www.dalkia.ca/en/about-us/RetrievedAugust26,2011.
78http://www.veolia.com/en/group/RetrievedAugust26,2011.
79http://about-us.edf.com/about-us-43666.htmlRetrievedAugust26,2011.
80Totalcompensation.www.people.forbes.com
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revised
September13,2011
CUPEResearch
:ssj/cope491
HCRA/OCHU/CorporateResearch/CorporationsOutofHealthCare.doc
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