Contract Worker Justice @SFU
We are a coalition of SFU workers, faculty, students and community members fighting to end the outsourcing of food and cleaning services at SFU.
Campaign Updates
CBC and City News Covers CWJ calls for change following death of Kulbir Kaila
Nearly 100 community members, including a large contingent of her colleagues, attended our Oct 16 event to remember Kulbir Kaila and call for change. Members of her family were able to speak about the terrible working conditions she faced to the media. Neither BEST nor SFU were willing to go on camera their written statements provided little explanation. See the coverage below:
Join CWJ Oct 16 to remember Kulbir Kaila and keep pushing for change
This summer a member of our community passed away while on the job. Kulbir Kaila worked as a cleaner on campus for almost 20 years and was a dedicated CUPE 3338 member. She was a friend, family member, and colleague of many. Her death has shocked and saddened many of us.
On October 16th, CWJ is holding an event to mark Kulbir’s death while also recognizing the deep unfairness of poor working conditions for BEST workers. As cleaners, their jobs are contracted out through BEST, an external company allowing SFU to distance itself from decisions to lay off workers and increase the size of cleaning areas.
Kulbir’s family, union, and our local MLA Rohini Arora will all attend and speak. After, we’ll collectively go to lay condolences near her place of death on campus.
CWJ invites you to please join us this Thursday October 16 to recognize Kulbir and also raise awareness for improving working conditions for all custodial staff working at Simon Fraser University campuses:
- October 16th, 11:30am-1:30pm (speeches start at 12pm)
- ASB 10900 on SFU Burnaby Campus
CWJ hosts rally to continue pushing for in-house food and cleaning contracts
The movement demands direct employment, living wages, and benefits, writes Lucaiah Smith-Miodownik for The Peak.
SFU community demands reinstatement of over 23 cleaning workers
On April 10 2024 , Contract Worker Justice @SFU hosted a rally at Convocation Mall to demand the restoration of cleaning services and reinstatement of SFU’s contract cleaning workers, writes Hannah Fraser at The Peak.
Burnaby City Council Unanimously Endorses the CWJ Campaign
In March 2024, CWJ campaign members Enda Brophy and Mitch Hoganson spoke at the Burnaby City Council. The following day, the Council endorsed the demands and principles of the Contract Worker Justice Campaign at SFU.
Contract workers at Simon Fraser University treated as second class: Globe and Mail
Simon Fraser University employees collect vacation pay during winter break, but each semester the school’s food service workers get laid off, writes Kelvin Gawley
Dec. 28, 2022
A Win for Low-Wage Workers on Campus, but It’s Not Nearly Enough
Contract Worker Justice responds to Dr. Joy Johnson’s announcement that SFU will become a Living Wage Employer.
Jul. 21, 2022
Feb. 14, 2022
Feb. 07, 2022
The Peak covers CWJ report on poor working conditions at SFU
Dr. Enda Brophy and Jade Ho spoke to Karissa Ketter about the report, presented to the SFU Board of Governors (BoG)
Feb. 14, 2022
CWJ Critical of SFU's New Procurement Guide
CWJ told The Peak that changes to procurement will not resolve employment issues affecting contracted workers.
Feb. 07, 2022
Feb. 07, 2022
Contract Worker Justice on Vancouver Co-op Radio's Redeye
Dr. John Calvert spoke with Lorraine Chisholm of Vancouver co-op radio.
Feb. 05, 2022
The Contract Worker Justice @SFU Campaign Presents at SFU's Board of Governors
The Board meeting was livestreamed and the recording is accessible below.
Jan. 27, 2022
Contracted workers at SFU face abuse, unsafe conditions and poor pay, report claims
By Bridgette Watson for CBC News
Jan. 28, 2022
SFU contract workers | On The Coast with Gloria Macarenko
An interview with Dr. Enda Brophy for CBC News
Jan. 27, 2022
Contracted food and cleaning service workers at SFU allege poor working conditions
By for Burnaby Beacon
Jan. 27, 2022
Labour Conditions Among Contract Cleaning and Food Services Staff at Simon Fraser University
A report on our findings from interviews with contracted-out workers at SFU.
Jan. 24, 2022
2021 End-of-Year Update
As 2021 draws to a close we’d like to give you an update on the campaign and a heads up on what to expect in the New Year.
Dec. 20, 2021
From the archives | The business case for the living wage: The story of the cleaning service at Queen Mary, University of London (Jan. 2009)
A report by Jane Wills, Nathalie Kakpo and Rahima Begum, examining a similar case of contracting out in the UK.
Nov. 10, 2021
Coalition optimistic SFU will bring cleaning and food service contract workers in-house
By Srushti Gangdev for Burnaby Beacon
Oct. 28, 2021
Press Release: Contract Worker Justice responds to SFU President Johnson’s announcement regarding review of contract versus in-house food and cleaning services
Sept. 15, 2021
Contract Worker Justice: Creating a Fairer SFU | SFU CERi
A webinar on the campaign and the fight to bring services in-house
Jul. 19, 2021
When the community comes together, we are powerful.
On April 10 2024 , Contract Worker Justice @SFU hosted a rally at Convocation Mall to demand the restoration of cleaning services and reinstatement of SFU’s contract cleaning workers, writes Hannah Fraser at The Peak.