Aramark workers demand fair first contract at Seneca’s Markham campus
Foodservice workers and janitorial staff at Seneca’s Markham campus, employed by the multi-national Aramark and members of UNITE HERE, set up picket lines this morning just north of Toronto, striking for a fair first contract.
“These workers, many of whom make just above minimum wage and work two jobs to make ends meet, organized with UNITE HERE to make things better,” said Alex Dagg, Director of UNITE HERE’s Ontario Council. “Since July of last year, they have been making reasonable proposals for a fair first contract and are simply asking Aramark to bring their wages, benefits and working conditions in line with other Aramark workers at Seneca. Aramark has refused to address their concerns and these workers are saying they are ready to stand up for fair working conditions.”
Aramark workers at Seneca’s Markham campus have been asking the foodservice giant to address low wages and benefits as well as consistent problems with abusive behaviour by supervisors. However, at the last bargaining session, on the eve of a strike deadline, Aramark responded with a paltry 1.25 % wage increase or less than 10 cents an hour for most staff. At the end of this month, Ontario will raise its minimum wage by 75 cents an hour.
“We voted, 100% to take strike action because these poor working conditions can’t go on,” said Andy Chui who works the overnight shift as a janitor at Seneca’s Markham campus and is a member of UNITE HERE’s Aramark bargaining committee. “I was insulted by the company’s 10 cent offer. This company makes a lot of money and we’re simply asking for a living wage and to be treated with dignity and respect. It is ridiculous that a big, powerful corporation like this thinks it can push us around simply because we serve food and clean floors.”
Recently, hundreds braved February winds and cold to rally outside the University of Toronto, demanding better for Aramark workers who serve thousands of college and university students across Ontario. Aramark, based in Philadelphia, recorded $12.4 billon in sales in 2007 and employs 245,000 employees worldwide, 15,000 of them here in Canada. It serves meals to students at high schools, university and colleges as well as workers in factories and law firms. It also provides laundry and cleaning services.
UNITE HERE Canada represents 50,000 workers across Canada and 450,000 across North America, thousands of them foodservice workers like those working for Aramark at Seneca’s Markham campus.
For more information contact Wynne Hartviksen at 416-510-0887, ext # 265 or via cell at 416-473-2632.
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