Union accuses Aramark of stealing from employees

PHILADELPHIA — The labor group Workers United has filed a criminal complaint against Aramark Corporation, accusing the company of stealing from its employees by collecting union dues from paychecks without turning them over to their union, according to American Laundry News.

Aramark went on the defensive, claiming that the civil war between Workers United and the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees-Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union (UNITE-HERE) makes it unclear which union should receive the dues and is holding onto them until the issue is resolved, the story stated.

Kristine Grow, senior director of communications for Aramark, said: "Aramark is neutral on this dispute, so we, like other companies, are looking for guidance from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). In the meantime, we’re continuing to take dues and place them in an escrow account, and those dues will be provided to the proper union."

Aramark workers across the country organized with UNITE-HERE until the union split into two factions in March; one retained the UNITE-HERE name while Workers United became a branch of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the story noted.

A series of recent NLRB decisions concluded that employers in 10 different regions of the country must recognize Workers United as the collective bargaining representative for their employees, the story added.

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