SkyTrain cleaners’ union raises safety, sanitation concerns

Employees are saying a new contractor is to blame for a decline in cleanliness and safety standards on the SkyTrain.

The union representing workers responsible for keeping Metro Vancouver’s SkyTrains and stations clean is saying sanitation and safety have declined since a new contractor took over as their employer earlier this year.

Those with what they describe as a front‑row seat to the work are now sounding the alarm.

“This is unhealthy for all of us here,” said Lenna McVeety, a SkyTrain cleaner.

She said there have been cases where the contractor, Dexterra Group, hasn’t provided the most basic necessities required by the workers to complete tasks.

“We didn’t even have brooms. We didn’t have rags. We didn’t have anything. We were reusing water there for the longest time, and I don’t know how they were doing it,” McVeety said.

SEIU Local 2, the union representing SkyTrain cleaners, says prior to Dexterra Group taking over the contract there were 110 employees. Since Feb. 1st, they say 25 workers have been laid off, despite McVeety saying there were assurances that jobs would be protected.

“They said no one’s going to be laid off, everybody’s going to keep their job, and here we are,” she said.

The union adds it has filed 18 grievances — something it calls highly abnormal. SkyTrain cleaners also staged a rally in late March to voice their concerns.

“We’re not going to stop. We’re all fighters around here, especially me,” McVeety said.

With the FIFA World Cup expected to bring an influx of riders this summer, McVeety says she is worried not just about her crew’s safety, but the safety of the public.

“We’re all going to have to do our part, you know, to help out with the FIFA because they’re not, they’re not prepared. And I know they’re not prepared.”

In a statement to CTV News, Dexterra said in part, “safety is non‑negotiable, and our teams are trained, properly equipped, and supported by established protocols.”

The company says “formal grievances that have been filed are proceeding through the appropriate and agreed‑upon forum for resolving matters of this nature.”

Workers say they haven’t had much success raising concerns with TransLink.

“Our union has, they’ve spoken to TransLink and they still don’t want to talk to any of us as workers,” McVeety said.

TransLink says it is in constant communication with Dexterra and has “no evidence they are using improper cleaning procedures or protocols at this time,” adding “any allegations related to cleaning practices will be reviewed thoroughly.”

McVeety says she plans to keep pushing for change.

“We’ll fight to the end until something happens. We’re standing together and we want people to stand with us.”