The University of Windsor and leaders of CUPE Local 1001 were locked in intense discussions Nov. 30 as both sides negotiate the university’s recent proposal to outsource some of its custodial work.
The university’s plan would require that custodial duties at three buildings on campus— the CAW Student Centre, human kinetics building and Leddy Library— be handed over to an outside contractor.
“We started negotiations about six months ago [with regards to] who was going to staff [the Centre for Engineering Innovation building],” said CUPE 1001 president Dave Montgomery. “We went to a meeting on Nov. 13, [where] they informed us that they were bringing in contractors.”
The 29 custodians who currently maintain those buildings would be re-deployed to other areas in an attempt to improve conditions where student traffic is at its highest, according to the university communications officer Holly Ward.
“We wanted to make sure that the buildings that had the highest student traffic received more attention to [ensure] that we’re exceeding the expectations of our students when it comes to cleanliness on campus,” Ward said.
Union members, including custodians, groundskeepers and catering employees have protested against the change.
More than thirty people gathered outside the former Windsor Star building Nov. 30 where university president and vice chancellor Alan Wildeman was expected to make an appearance. The University of Windsor announced its acquisition of the premises last November as part of the school’s expansion into the downtown area.
Hiring of union labour at the university has dissipated in recent years, with several custodial employees having been allowed to retire or leave without any new hires being made, Ward said.
Many workers are upset that they do not know where they will be moved or what shifts they will have when contractors begin work Jan. 2.
Ward maintains the decision to use a contractor was necessary for a university looking to be more fiscally responsible.
“The university has been in a cost-cutting exercise for the last four years. We’ve cut more than $35 million from our operating budget. This was an affordable solution that allows us to provide the [custodial] service that students deserve,” Ward said.
“Given the economy of the province and the position that the provincial government is in, every university is looking to cut costs.”
Union leaders say that the university has broken the collective agreement signed last year. The agreement allows the university jurisdiction to hire a third party, provided it refrains from laying off any custodial workers hired before July 31, 2010.
“I don’t believe that is the case at all,” Ward said. “We are protecting the jobs of the custodial staff with this decision. No one is losing their job. The private sector has found an efficient way of providing services and this was the route that had to be taken.”
Members of CUPE said they are not convinced. Montgomery said plans to further the union’s demonstrative efforts in the next several days are well underway.
“Our CUPE legal department is looking into [the collective agreement],” he said.
“We have a couple of radio [and] newspaper ads coming out. Our next protest [involves] all of the unions on campus.
“[We] are [going to boycott] the Christmas party,” he said.
