Union to Picket Award Ceremony Featuring McMaster University President Peter George

HAMILTON, ON, April 15 /CNW/ - The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) will launch its Justice for Janitors campaign -- which aims to pressure McMaster University into providing work for 31 custodians who were terminated last month -- by picketing an award ceremony featuring McMaster University President Peter George.

On Wednesday, April 27th, Peter George will be awarded the Hamilton Safe Communities CH - Community Spirit Award at the Carmen's Banquet Centre.
McMaster University employees and their supporters will gather outside the banquet hall at 4:45 pm and will picket for the duration of the event.

In March, the University fired all 31 of its part-time custodians just days before they were to vote on whether or not to unionize. The Ontario Labour Relations Board proceeded with the vote and the University workers voted unanimously in favour of unionizing. Following the vote, the University agreed to reinstate all 31 employees. However, since that time workers have discovered that there is very little work available because the University has contracted out the work they previously performed.

"They reinstated our employment on paper only. What good is having a job when you never get called into work." -Colleen Hamilton, McMaster University Custodian

The picket is the first in a series of actions the union plans this summer as part of its Justice for Janitors campaign.

"We are going to be very active over the next several months particularly in the lead up to Jean Chretien's appearance at convocation ceremonies"

-Tom Galivan, SEIU Spokesperson

Service Employees International Union represents over 1.8 million workers in North America in every sector of the economy.


For further information: Media Contact: Tom Galivan, Service Employees
International Union, (905) 870-2709