Starbucks professes a concern for workers, the community and the environment. But Starbucks uses the commercial uniform and laundry vendor Cintas at its national chain of coffee shops. In addition to environmental and workplace violations, Starbucks’ vendor, Cintas, is engaged in a campaign of intimidation against employees trying to form their union. Send a message to Starbucks. Tell America’s coffee shop giant to dump its laundry vendor until Cintas cleans up its act.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to express my concern over the business that Starbucks does with Cintas Corporation for uniform, mat and linen service for your coffee shops.

I have followed your company's efforts to support fairness, provide community assistance and uphold environmental standards. Given this history, it is difficult to understand your relationship with Cintas.

Cintas is a company with a history of unfair and often illegal conduct. Cintas faces lawsuits over failure to pay overtime and dozens of cases of discrimination based upon race, sex, age and disability. Cintas also has been found responsible for dumping chemical pollutants.

But I am most outraged by what Cintas is doing in response to efforts by its employees to form a union in order to protect their rights. The company has deployed an expensive squad of attorneys, industrial psychologists and a regiment of security guards as part of a campaign of intimidation, which includes recording union activity, harassing union supporters and discriminating against employees who want to form a union.

I am outraged by these practices. Nobody should feel unwelcome at work because he or she wants a union. Clearly, these are not the practices of a responsible and fair business. Until Cintas treats its employees, the environment and our community with respect, I urge you to follow your company's principles and not use Cintas as a vendor.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
May 12, 2003