Janitors union demanding better pay and protection during pandemic
Posted April 8, 2020 1:35 pm.
Last Updated April 9, 2020 11:42 am.
EDMONTON (660 NEWS) – Janitors are being thrust into the spotlight during the COVID-19 pandemic and now a union representing 10,000 workers in Canada is calling for more protections.
The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local-2 has launched a campaign called “From Invisible to Essential”. As part of the campaign, the union is demanding a two-dollar-per-hour raise, promises that jobs will not be cut, and better training and safety equipment for janitors.
An online petition has also been launched and has received over 1,000 signatures in less than a week. The union has also sent an open letter to the federal government with their demands.
The union says janitors continue to be among the lowest paid and most underappreciated workers in society and face threats of layoffs, low wages and health impacts of COVID-19.
The SEIU Local-2 represents janitors in Edmonton and Fort McMurray as well as B.C., Ontario and Nova Scotia.
