Kanchi Uttamchandani | Assistant News Editor
Featured image: Aramark union UNITE HERE Local 75 has voted unanimously in a strike action if negotiations do not address its concerns. | Amir Yazdanparast
York’s cafeteria workers are growing hungry for strike action amid ongoing labour disputes and negotiations between Aramark and the union.
“UNITE HERE Local 75 had a strike mandate vote for workers on December 9, 2016, which resulted in 100 per cent strike authorization. They’re currently going through bargaining and if they don’t reach an agreement, they may go on strike as early as Monday, January 23,” says Alia Karim, activist for Real Food Real Jobs and Fight for $15 & Fairness coalitions, which are lobbying for UNITE HERE Local 75.
Karim says the two coalitions are lobbying for workers, whose demands include $15 per hour starting wages and raises in pay scales, enhanced health and welfare benefits and respect in the workplace, including an end to suspensions, alleged harassment and discrimination against workers.
Karim emphasizes that the Real Food Real Jobs coalition, whose mandate is to bring affordable, healthy and sustainable food to York, has been at the forefront of organizing support for Aramark workers by meeting with them regularly. They have also coordinated community discussions, petitions and demonstrations in Central Square.
“[Workers] are preparing for the worst, particularly if Aramark decides to employ scab labour to replace the workers,” states Karim.
The coalition has gathered over 1,000 student signatures in support. Previously, it organized a delegation of students and workers who marched to York President Mamdouh Shoukri’s office to demand that Aramark enforce better working conditions.
Karim clarifies that the coalitions cannot speak on behalf of the union but have discussed tactics like boycotting the affected workplaces.
“We definitely encourage the student population to do so because it’ll help put pressure on Aramark and York administration to give the workers what they’d like out of this bargaining round.”
For students residing on campus who are on a meal plan, it is uncertain how a potential strike would affect their accessibility to Aramark food locations.
“We’d like the York administration to hold Aramark accountable. They can put pressure on Aramark because they’re a subcontractor for the university,” says Karim.
Janice Walls of York media states that the university is not involved in these contract negotiations concerning Aramark workers, who she says are not York employees.
“We understand the negotiations between UNITE HERE and Aramark are continuing, with bargaining sessions planned for January 18 and 19. We will continue to monitor the situation and will inform the York community as needed,” states Walls.
“We continue to bargain in good faith and hope to reach an agreement soon. Sessions are scheduled this week. We have contingency plans [in place] to ensure there is no disruption in service to the campus community,” says Karen Cutler, spokesperson for Aramark.
UNITE HERE Local 75 is the union representing Aramark workers. Members of the union include workers at Stong Cafe, Tim Hortons, Central Square Cafeteria, Pizza Pizza, Starbucks, Booster Juice, Freshii, Express, P.O.D., TEL Cafe, Winters Cafe and Osgoode Bistro.
