Kanchi Uttamchandani | Assistant News Editor
Featured image: York students show their solidarity with Aramark workers following the temporary suspension of an employee. | Amir Yazdanparast
Real Food, Real Jobs activists organized a rally to stop the alleged intimidation of Aramark workers on Tuesday afternoon.
In a post in the Rally Against Cafeteria Worker Intimidation Facebook group, activist Brandon Hart claimed management has intimidated several workers from the Central Square cafeteria and suspended one worker for allegedly being “too loud.”
“This suspension is a direct response to these workers being active with their union and building connections with other students, faculty, staff and community members,” claimed Hart.
Meanwhile, the coalition has partnered with community groups like OPIRG York and the York University Graduate Students’ Association to express their concerns to York president Mamdouh Shoukri about the treatment of cafeteria workers, and to discuss lack of healthy and affordable food options on campus.
York spokesperson Barbara Joy says the university is aware that Aramark workers have expressed concerns about their employer, pointing out that Aramark is responsible for all aspects of employment and labour relations in connection with its workforce.
“We expect all suppliers comply with applicable laws, including the Employment Standards Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Aramark’s employees are unionized and have various avenues available to them if they experience issues in their workplace,” she says.
Previously, the Real Food, Real Jobs coalition delivered a petition with over 1,000 signatures collected from the York community to the president’s office, requesting a meeting with him.
“We aren’t even sure if you are getting the message. If you are, why are you ignoring this incredibly important issue that has thousands of community members concerned? If you are not, you need to investigate why you aren’t receiving information from your staff,” reads an open letter signed by Real Food, Real Jobs and addressed to President Shoukri.
Joy explains that correspondence sent by Aramark employees to Shoukri was received and forwarded for response to the director of YU-card, food and parking services, as his department is responsible for some of the food services at York.
“A response was sent to Aramark employees on October 26. We are not aware of any direct written complaints by Aramark employees, however, given that the employees are not York employees we would encourage the individuals to share their concerns with their union for appropriate action,” says Joy.
Aramark spokesperson Karen Cutler maintains the company continues to negotiate in good faith with the union and are working toward a new agreement.
“We do not negotiate through the media or third parties,” says Cutler.
“We respect the integrity of the collective bargaining process and consider negotiations private,” she adds.
“While I cannot comment on any specific incidents, any resulting actions were not related to the current labour negotiations,” asserts Cutler.
She says that as an employer of more than a quarter of a million people, Aramark operates everywhere with the highest regard for all of its employees, and, in doing so, maintains full compliance with labour agreements.
