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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 26-2007 RESOLUTION NO. 26-2007 CITY COUNCIL, CITY OF SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA A RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE ADOPTION OF THE "SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE CONTRACTOR'S CODE OF CONDUCT" WHEREAS, as the duly elected City Council of the City of South San Francisco, we care deeply about the rights and well-being of all residents of our city, as well as those who work within it; and WHEREAS, it has been demonstrated in several studies of low wage workers that residents of our community are suffering economically and socially due to the conditions of their employment and we are therefore troubled that many of these low-wage workers are employed at the sites of the wealthiest companies in the world: the hi-tech and bio-tech Corridor running from South San Francisco to San Jose; and WHEREAS, many workers in this "corridor" are employed by food service subcontractors, who earn, on average, 69% less than the median income for this area and are unable to meet the basic needs for themselves and their children despite being employed being employed full time; and WHEREAS, these same subcontracted workers, such as food service workers, are often compelled to rely upon government subsidies because their employers often do not provide access to affordable health care and a sustainable wage; and WHEREAS, because subcontractors and their client companies often shift the responsibility for the workers' (and their families') right to health care from the company to the public taxpayers, these subcontractors thereby increase their profit margin at the expense of our neighbors and our state budget; and WHEREAS, many subcontracted food service workers and other service workers are hard working immigrants and often suffer disrespectful treatment on the job; and WHEREAS, the City of South San Francisco City Council, reaffirms its commitment to protect a decent standard of living for all our residents and people who work within our community, and that we believe strongly that all workers have the right of respect and dignity at work; and WHEREAS, in many ways, we are a community which has benefited greatly from the new economy of hi-tech and bio- Tech industries. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of South San Francisco does hereby wholeheartedly endorse the adoption of the "Socially Responsible Contractor's Code of Conduct". Furthermore, we look to hi-tech and bio- Tech companies to show leadership in their contracting policies just as they have shown leadership in their treatment of their professional employees. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we urge all companies utilizing contractors to adopt this specific "Code of Conduct" and cease contractual relations with any company unwilling to adhere to this case as stated. * * * * * I hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution was regularly introduced and adopted by the City Council of the City of South San Francisco at a regular meeting held on the 11 th day of April 2007 by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Mark N. Addiego, Joseph A. Fernekes and Karyl Matsumoto, Vice Mayor Pedro Gonzalez and Mayor Richard A. Garbarino NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None ATTEST: ())"~ ~ City Clerk A Model Responsible Food Service Contractor Code of Conduct Our company, like many in the Bay Area, is a responsible employer that provides high quality jobs, with excellent wages and benefits. With major operations in the area, we contract with other companies that provide non-core services, such as operating cafes in our buildings. We recognize that jobs in service industries, such as food service, are not of the same caliber as the ones we provide. Therefore we adopt the following principles to apply to our relationship with food service contractors as a way to make sure that the jobs indirectly provided by our business are good jobs that build the surrounding communities. Upon adoption of this policy, we will notify our existing food service contractors of this Code of Conduct. A responsible food service contractor: . Provides affordable family health care coverage and access to health care when needed; . Pays wages that its employees and their families can live on; . Complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances, including (but not limited to) those related to insurance, wages, non-discrimination, health and safety and environmental matters; and . Respects the right to organize a union without management interference when employees want to improve their lives. If it comes to our attention that a contractor does not act in accordance with these principles, either at our company's facilities or at other locations, we will remind the contractor of these principles and ask them to rectify any problems. If for any reason we elect to change contractors, we will seek out an alternative contractor who will hire the employees already working in our buildings, will offer comparable or better compensation and working conditions to these employees and who respects the right of these employees to organize.