As our campaign to improve the lives of Sodexo's workers gains coverage in major news outlets like the New York Times, BusinessWeek and the AP, Sodexo's workers from all around the world gathered today in Paris for a press conference to demonstrate how they're united to improve standards, form collective agreements and earn respect for workers' rights.

As reporters asked questions about employer intimidation, workers from our U.S. delegation shared stories about their experience at Sodexo sites in universities, schools, stadiums, and hospitals, and talked about the environment of fear they've felt when they talk about forming a union, which has included Sodexo supervisors calling mandatory anti-union meetings and approaching individual workers directly to discourage them from forming a union. In the coming days, we'll be bringing these stories to you.

The workers say they aren't asking for much. Their belief is that Sodexo has the duty to act in a socially responsible manner, to guarantee decent salaries and to ensure compliance with their rights and international standards in relation to employment throughout the world.

The common aims of the workers around the world are to ask for:

1. Decent salaries that are sufficient to support a family.
2. An end to casual employment contracts and the imposition of part-time working, and the creation of stable full-time jobs.
3. Proper benefits with health insurance, paid sick leave and maternity leave and paid holidays where those do not exist.
4. Health and safety protection through preventative measures and actions to improve working conditions.
5. A commitment to and respect for the right of all Sodexo employees to join together and form trade union organizations without opposition or obstacle from the company.
6. Compliance with national legislation in all jurisdictions in accordance with the Sodexo Charter.

We've got plenty more activity planned in Paris - including the workers' reactions to how the press conference went and what it meant for them to take part in it - so be sure to tune in over the next few days.