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| Union protests Aramark take-over |
| By The Salinas Californian |
| Published: 01/26/2004 |
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A Salinas-area union will protest this week at the Monterey County (Calif.) Courthouse, alleging racial discrimination against cooks at the county jail. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office has proposed that six jail cooks be replaced by lower-paid workers from an outside company. "The result of their actions affects disproportionately a number of people of color," said Yvonne Martinez, deputy director of Service Employees International Union Local 817. "It's another form of institutional racism." Martinez said the six jail cooks are either black or Filipino. Philadelphia-based Aramark Correctional Services, a business-outsourcing giant that manages the jail's kitchen, is being considered for the contract. Undersheriff Bill Freeman said potential layoffs have nothing to do with race. He said the move would save the county about $250,000 a year. The cooks are paid about $18.50 an hour, depending on experience. A final decision won't be made until the supervisors vote on the issue in February, Freeman said. If supervisors agree, Aramark workers would take over April 1, Freeman said. Aramark spokeswoman Debbie Albert said some of the current employees may continue working in the jail for less money. Martinez said the county would still be guilty of racial discrimination if Aramark replaced the current minority employees with their own minority employees. Some of the county jail cooks are longstanding employees and all have full benefits and pension plans, something Martinez said Aramark would not offer its employees at the jail. |
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