Hempstead, NY Vol.76 | Issue 23
The Hofstra
Chronicle
Thursday April 7, 2011
Keeping the Hofstra Community informed since 1935
Union accuses Lackmann of intimidating workers By Ryan Broderick EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
“The Bad Taste Of Lackmann,” read a flyer being distributed outside the Student Center Wednesday morning. The leaflets alleged that Lackmann Culinary Services was “running intimidating Anti-Union campaigns” against Lackmann workers that were not already part of Local Union 1102 RWDSU. Local 1102’s handout alleges that Lackmann was removed from Pace University and also claims that they violated federal law by committing unfair labor practices against their food service employees at Stony Brook University. At the bottom, it urged readers to call Lackmann’s headquarters, listing their phone number and the office phone number of Joe Rudolph, the catering company’s vice president. Representing Local 1102 on campus Wednesday morning and handing out the flyers were Ryan Brunet and Dennis Romano, who hoped to alert students and faculty of the mistreatment they assert is going on with certain Lackmann employees. Local 1102 represents over 400 employees working for Hofstra, including culinary workers, custodians, bus drivers and other oncampus workers. Lackmann has recently added 27 new employees at Au Bon Pain, Breslin Hall and the Law School, who are not represented by the union, but requested to be, according to Romano and Brunet. “They’re bringing them in, holding one-on-one meetings, threatening them with their jobs
[or that] they’re going to have pay cuts,” Brunet said of Lackmann’s intimidation tactics. “It’s important to know that everyone on this campus is unionized. And Local 1102 actually represents all the other food service [employees]. It’s just 27 workers are being denied the right to join 1102.” Romano added that Local 1102 is not a new organization for University employees. “We’ve represented them for 20 something years. We have a contract in place,” Romano said, adding, “I want to be very clear, okay? Our relationship with this University is very strong and very good. From Stuart Rabinowitz, all the way down. This is not about that. This is about Lackmann.” In an official statement from Lackmann Culinary Services, released by Lackmann’s Public Relations representative Sarah Hada, the company asserts that nothing they’re doing is against the law. “Lackmann is exercising its rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to speak with our employees regarding their legal rights during this process, and their respect to elect a union, if they so choose,” the catering company’s official statement reads. Hada’s release emphasizes their relationship with The University and claims they have a very long track record of valuing and respecting their employees. Erika Mercado, Lackmann employee and manager of Au Bon Pain, declined to comment on the
Lackmann was asked to leave Pace University last week, after Pace found serious health violations...
Ryan Broderick/ The Chronicle
Above: Union workers were handing out flyers to raise awareness about claims of unfair treatment by Lackman Culinary Services. Left: A flyer from Local 1102, the union that represents food service employees on campus. conflict between Local 1108 and Lackmann. Vice President of University Relations Melissa Connolly was unaware of Lackmann’s rocky relationship with Local 1102. “This is actually the first I’ve heard of it,” Connolly said. “Those aren’t our employees and it’s not my union, so I have no idea.” Dennis Romano is upset at how Lackmann, seemingly at random, has decided to treat employees seeking union membership. “I mean, it’s not like we’re not here. It’s not a union coming in and trying to solicit. It’s not solicit-
ing. We have a right to be here,” Romano said. “But what troubles me about this whole thing is that normally this type of reaction is how a union is treated when they’re first coming on the scene.” This isn’t the first time Lackmann Culinary Services has been involved with union conflicts. In 2005, Lackmann refused to hire workers who were already at Pace University when they took over operations at the school, assuming they were involved with UNITE HERE Local 100. Similarly, UNITE HERE held a protest in 2006, marching up
Broadway and demonstrating against Lackmann Culinary Services. The 100-person march, composed mainly of cafeteria workers from the New York Stock Exchange, protested against Lackmann’s refusal to pay medical bills, sudden layoffs and claims of unfair wages. Most recently, Lackmann was asked to leave Pace University last week, after Pace found serious health violations, such as employees preparing food with their bare hands and keeping food at unsafe temperatures.
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