Workers at Simon Fraser University Demand Change Amid Abuse Claims

Concerns about workplace bullying and harassment have intensified among food service and cleaning staff at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Burnaby, British Columbia. Workers have reported enduring verbal abuse from management, prompting a coalition of students, staff, and faculty to advocate for better conditions since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nouha Ishaq, who has worked in food services at SFU since 2005, described the workplace environment as increasingly hostile over the past five years. “You feel the whip,” Ishaq remarked, highlighting the verbal insults that accompany requests for assistance. Her experiences reflect a broader issue, as at least three formal complaints of bullying and harassment have been filed by contract workers at the university since the pandemic began.

The group Contract Worker Justice has been vocal about the deteriorating conditions for workers, noting that many have faced similar treatment. Reports obtained from WorkSafeBC reveal that issues of bullying and harassment have persisted among janitorial staff for years. Despite ongoing calls for action from the coalition, many workers feel that little has changed.

The situation escalated last year following the tragic death of a janitor employed by Best Service Pros at SFU’s Burnaby campus. In response, the cleaning company claimed to have updated its health and safety measures and created reporting channels for staff. Nevertheless, workers like Ishaq continue to report a culture of hostility from management.

Enda Brophy, an associate communications professor at SFU and co-founder of Contract Worker Justice, criticized the university’s decision to continue contracting out food and janitorial services. He argued that such practices allow contractors to maintain troubling management methods, stating, “Doubling down on contracting out their workforce means that they’re still subject to the troubling management practices.”

Currently employed at SFU’s dining commons, Ishaq earns $23.58 per hour, with a scheduled increase of $0.50 expected in May. In comparison, the Metro Vancouver living wage was estimated at $27.85 as of November 2022. Ishaq noted that while SFU committed in 2022 to becoming a living-wage employer, contracted staff like those at Chartwells Canada, which operates the university’s food services, do not yet receive a living wage.

The working conditions have prompted food service workers to voice their concerns about excessive workloads and inadequate health and safety protections. Workers reported feeling insulted by management, particularly from sous-chefs and chefs who often engage in verbal abuse. Ishaq explained that the company has increasingly hired more supervisors rather than addressing the root problems affecting employees.

Language barriers have further complicated the workplace dynamics, with many staff members speaking languages such as Punjabi, Tagalog, Hindi, Mandarin, or Cantonese as their first language. “When you don’t speak fluent English, you don’t understand their slang,” Ishaq shared, emphasizing the additional stress this creates in an already challenging environment.

In January 2022, Contract Worker Justice published a report detailing the experiences of employees at Best Service Pros and Chartwells Canada. The report, based on anonymous testimonies from eight janitors and thirteen food service workers, highlighted issues of harassment, discriminatory behavior, and management’s failure to address concerns adequately. Since its release, the report has received endorsements from both the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 3338 and Unite Here! Local 40.

Michelle Travis, a spokesperson for Unite Here! Local 40, acknowledged the significant respect issues and frustrations surrounding management’s treatment of workers. She noted, “There are definitely respect issues and concerns about management cutting hours and doing bargaining unit work.” While Travis could not confirm specific bullying complaints, she indicated that the union is available to address such issues through established channels.

In response to the ongoing concerns, documents from WorkSafeBC indicate that inspectors have visited Best Service Pros at SFU multiple times due to allegations of bullying and harassment. Reports from these inspections revealed that the cleaning contractor was ordered to implement an anti-bullying policy. However, compliance with these orders has come into question, as subsequent inspections found that the procedures remained inadequate.

A spokesperson for Best Service Pros defended the company’s practices, claiming they prioritize their relationship with employees and provide avenues for raising concerns. “We take our relationship with our employees very seriously,” the spokesperson stated, adding that they have initiated a comprehensive safety audit and established confidential channels for staff to express concerns.

Despite these assurances, workers and advocates remain skeptical. Brophy noted that ongoing research indicates that the situation has not improved significantly. He emphasized that bringing workers in-house can enhance relationships between management and staff, leading to better working conditions.

As the calls for change grow louder, Ishaq expressed her desire for SFU to take responsibility for its contracted employees. “I want to see us become employees of the university,” she stated, pointing out that the current arrangement leaves workers vulnerable to management abuses. The coalition demands that SFU transition food service and cleaning staff to direct employment without job losses and that unions representing these workers be recognized throughout the process.

In light of these developments, the future for contracted workers at Simon Fraser University remains uncertain. As the coalition continues to push for reforms, the need for accountability and respect in the workplace has never been more pressing.