Calgary – April 8, 2016 – Aramark workers at the University of Calgary (U of C) are the newest members of UFCW Canada Local 401 after voting to join the union last month.

The Aramark workers at the U of C are employed at seven different food service operations throughout the campus, including a Starbucks location at the Foothills Hospital. They now add their voice to nearly 30,000 UFCW Canada Local 401 members across Alberta. 

The new members joined the union to address concerns such as the high cost of health benefits, mandatory deductions from their paycheques for meals, issues surrounding vacation pay and work schedules as well as better wages.

“The Aramark workers were highly motivated to be union members and were very involved in the organizing campaign," says UFCW Canada Local 401 organizer Catherine Lelis. "It was inspiring to see their motivation and passion in talking to each other and working to see this happen."

The new members at Aramark at the U of C join other unionized campus employees throughout Canada who have chosen UFCW Canada as their voice in the workplace.

UFCW Canada Local 401 plans on commencing bargaining with the employer soon.