The University of Toronto has confirmed that they will continue to contract out caretaking services at the St. George campus. As of Labour Day, 2021, three more buildings will be contracted out: Bahen Centre of Information Technology, University of Toronto Schools, and 703 Spadina Avenue.

When the University contracted out 18 buildings last year, we were told it was a temporary measure. However, with the recent expansion, it's clear that U of T was not being honest with us. They are continuing to use COVID as an opportunity to replace good-paying positions with privatized, low-wage jobs. 

For-profit cleaning companies save labour costs because workers are paid at least $7/hour LESS than CUPE 3261 workers. They also do not receive the benefits that CUPE 3261 members get as workers employed directly by the University.

U of T has had plenty of time to hire and train more in-house workers in response to COVID-19 and has the ability to make fair and equitable resource allocation decisions. However, they have decided they are more interested in saving labour costs at the expense of workers.

CUPE 3261 will continue to campaign against privatization. Together we can defend high-quality, fairly compensated work at U of T. At a time when so many of us are facing income insecurity, U of T’s plan to hire low-paid workers serves to only worsen our collective situation. Instead, U of T has an opportunity to offer high-quality employment to our members and the broader community. U of T must hold itself to the principles of equity it claims to uphold good working conditions, quality health and safety, and an equitable campus environment