Sodexho workers unite

UNITE HERE, SEIU team up to unionize 120 employees at two worksites in
Toronto

TORONTO, April 9 /CNW/ - Sodexho workers at two worksites in Toronto have
voted to join UNITE HERE after a successful campaign carried out jointly with
the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Canada.
"These Sodexho workers will now have real power to improve their working
lives by banding together," says Alex Dagg, Canadian Director of UNITE HERE.
"We are delighted to welcome them to our union."
The applications for certification to represent Sodexho workers at
Christie Gardens retirement home and at St. Michael's College were filed
simultaneously with the Ontario Labour Relations Board on April 1. The votes
were held on April 8.
"SEIU and UNITE HERE have demonstrated the power of solidarity on this
campaign," says Sharleen Stewart, International Canadian Vice President with
SEIU. "We teamed up to ensure that, together, these workers will have a
brighter future."
The new UNITE HERE members work in food services for Sodexho as cooks,
servers and dishwashers.
"We decided to join the union because we all want to be treated equally
and with respect on the job," says Fernando Jorge, who works for Sodexho at
St. Michael's College. "Now, we will be able to demand this from our
employer."

UNITE HERE is a union representing over 50,000 members in Canada and more
than 440,000 people across North America.

SEIU is North America's largest and fastest growing union. SEIU
represents 1.8 million members, with 93,000 in Canada.

For further information: Media Contacts: Brad James, UNITE HERE,
(416) 510-0887, ext. 232; Bill Hulme, SEIU, (416) 458-7309; Carl
Mavromichalis, National Communications Coordinator, SEIU Canada,
(416) 951-4905