Employees protest poverty-level wages and denial of pension benefits

Giant plant serves major hospitals in Southern California and Nevada

December 20, 2005 – Colton, CA: Over 300 members of UNITE HERE are on strike at Angelica Corp’s giant laundry facility in Colton, California. Workers want on strike after the company made a final offer that they felt failed to address a number of key concerns, in particular wages and pension.

Most workers at the Colton facility earn less than $8.00 per hour -nearly $1.00 per hour less than other Angelica Corp laundry employees in Southern California. They are also the only Angelica laundry in Southern California where employees have no retirement plan. The employees won UNITE HERE representation earlier this year and are seeking a contract that will bring their wages and benefits up to the level enjoyed by other Angelica employees. “It’s wrong that after 27 years of working in this plant I still earn $8.32 per hour. And it hurts that Angelica isn’t making any contributions towards my retirement.” said bargaining committee member Lucia Lopez.

Another issue that angers the employees is the Company’s demand for contract language that says 2nd and 3rd shift employees would no longer be provided with uniforms. “It’s not fair, and we don’t think it’s safe,” said Consuelo Vera, a worker of 27 years. The company has said they want 1st shift employees to have company uniforms because customers who tour the plant will see them. The union believes that all employees should have the uniforms as a matter of health and safety and good hygiene.

The Colton facility provides linen service to many hospitals in Southern California and Nevada including: Loma Linda Hospital, St Bernadine’s Hospital, Arrowhead Hospital, San Bernardino County Hospital, Hemet Valley Hospital, Moreno Valley Hospital, Victor Valley Hospital in Southern California

Las Vegas area hospitals served by the struck plant include: Valley Hospital, Summerland Hospital, Spring Valley Hospital, Sienna Hospital, Santa Rosa de Lima Hospital, Desert Springs Hospital, and North Vista Hospital.