from Wisconsin State Journal - Tuesday, August 3, 2004
Board Wants New Uniform Company
byDean Mosiman
In a surprise move cheered by labor supporters, Madison is changing the lead candidate for a $68,600 contract to provide and wash all uniforms of city employees.
The city's Board of Estimates said after a private discussion Monday that it has recommended Aramark Uniform Services to replace Cintas Corp., accused of violating the city's living wage ordinance.
In recent weeks, Cintas, the largest uniform provider in the country, has been accused of failing to pay the city's $9.74 an hour living wage on a 2001 city Parking Utility contract, defaulting on a contract with the Los Angeles Department of Power and Water, and being cited with unfair labor practices.
The city, however, admitted it hadn't told the company about the living wage requirement and that the city signed the 2001 contract without it.
The board's decision "puts everybody who does business with the city on notice that the living wage is important," but also means the city must carefully apply the law, said Melanie Conklin spokeswoman for Mayor Dave Cieslewicz.
The City Council will award the contract at 6:30 p.m. today at the City-County Building.
City officials declined to discuss details of Monday's private discussion.
Greg Kaldor, general manager of Cintas' Madison plant, refused comment on the board's decision. He previously said Cintas told the truth when it made its bid.
Aramark's employees are members of the Union of Needletrades, Industrial, and Textile Employees, part of the AFL-CIO. The union has tried in recent years to unionize Cintas.
A series of speakers representing labor groups asked the board to drop Cintas, saying the company misrepresented itself on its proposal to the city and treats workers poorly.
Tony Schultz of the Student Labor Action Coalition said Cintas tries to bust unions and the city should support organized labor.