Union says 12 Halifax-area janitors could lose jobs after contract switch

SEIU Local 2 says 12 janitors at Alderney Gate could lose their jobs. (Source: Google Maps)

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 2 says a dozen janitors at Alderney Gate in Dartmouth, N.S., could lose their jobs this weekend due to a new contractor taking over work at the building.

Tin Oh, an organizing coordinator with SEIU Local 2, says they’ve received news Imperial Cleaners was awarded a new contract for Alderney Gate, replacing previous employer GDI Integrated Facilities Services.

Oh says Imperial is expected to take over the building on March 1 and she notes the 12 janitors at the site have received no indication they will keep their jobs following the switch.

“Some of these janitors have been there for nearly 20 years,” Oh said. “They’ve been faithfully serving HRM for decades. We don’t care who the contractor is, the priority is these janitors have jobs on Saturday.”

CTV News Atlantic reached out to Imperial Cleaners and the Halifax Regional Municipality to confirm the change in contractor. Mark Gough, manager of public affairs for the chief administrative office, said they cannot provide details about the new janitorial service as the contract is still being finalized by staff.

“The municipality can confirm that the union representing the janitorial staff at Alderney Gate has reached out with concerns about the procurement process,” Gough said in an email. “The municipality’s procurement policy integrates environmental, economic and social considerations to promote sustainable and ethical business practices while delivering the best value for residents. This includes a Living Wage Requirement to ensure fair compensation for employees working on municipal properties.”

Last month janitors working for GDI across the municipality ratified a new collective agreement that, among other things, got them a pension plan starting in 2027. Oh says SEIU Local 2 is concerned the new contractor would not have to honour the workers' gains in the new agreement due to the lack of successor rights in the region.

Omar Joof, who has worked for GDI for 23, started working at Alderney Gate a month ago. He said his team was excited to see the new collective agreement ratified, but were shocked to learn about the contractor change.

“That was so frustrating,” he said. “All 12 of us will be without work.”

Oh says SEIU Local 2 sent letters to Halifax mayor and council asking them to implement a 30-day delay in the new contract’s start date to allow time to develop supports and options for the affected workers.

“Although the municipality does not directly control staffing decisions or bind contractors to specific terms of collective agreements, the new contractor is encouraged to engage respectfully and equitably with employees,” Gough said. “Competitive procurement is vital for providing high-quality services in a financially responsible manner. This process ensures transparency, fairness and equal opportunities for qualified service providers, allowing high-quality standards to be met while being accountable stewards of public funds.”

SEIU Local 2 will be holding a rally for the janitors outside City Hall at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.

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