Negotiations for better food service conditions to begin

UNITE HERE Local 75, a union that represents hotel and food service workers alike, has requested bargaining from the food providers and expects the process to begin in the coming weeks.

The union represents not only UofT St George food services, but also workers from UofT Scarborough, St. Mike's College, and York University. UofT Scarborough's negotiations have been underway since last year, with the assistance of a Ministry of Labour conciliator. The Ministry of Labour has similarly appointed a conciliator for the UofT St. George negotiations.

These are the final steps to begin the negotiations on behalf of UofT food service workers for several months, even though the issues at hand have been going on for years.

Amarjeet Kaur Chhabra of UNITE HERE Local 75 is "hopeful that we can arrive at new collective agreements that strengthen campus food service jobs as good jobs with decent wages and benefits."

The companies on the other side of the dispute are Aramark, the food provider for both the UofT St. George and Scarborough campuses, as well as Compass, which provides for St. Michael's College.

Chhabra explains that the union has seen successes in the past, achieving "standard setting agreements at hotels across the GTA." Most of these agreements have been settled without a labor dispute, and Chhabra assures that the union is "committed to moving standards forward for university food service workers in the same way."

However, there are several instances where more desperate measures have had to be taken: in March of last year, hotel workers from the Fairmont Royal York went on strike, fighting for contracts to put an end to the exploitation they felt.

Other workers have had to fight tirelessly to even get unionization, as in the case of three Novotel hotels. Despite threats of discipline, suspensions, and terminations, these hotels worked hard to sign union cards to join UNITE HERE. UofT's Food Service workers have in this sense been more fortunate: the university has always had union members amongst its food service workers.

The issue of fair working conditions spreads beyond the workers, and should raise awareness to the injustices that can happen on our campus. It is a question of justice, but also one of accountability.

"The university administration relies on students not connecting their plight with that of the workers," says Katie Mazer, a TA member of the Student-Worker Solidarity sub-group of the UofT General Assembly. The sentiment is shared by food service workers as well.

"UNITE HERE food service leaders have been active in the UofT General Assembly since its inception," says Chhabra.

It should not be forgotten that food service workers are an integral part of our university. "As members of the university community, food service workers are always happy and inspired by engaging with the student community," reminds Chhabra.

In particular, those involved in the union "are very proud of their work serving the university community as an integral part of the university fulfilling it's mission within the broader community."