U of W janitors vote to strike

Contracted janitors at the University of Winnipeg have voted unanimously to strike.

Dexterra Group and Service Employees’ International Union Local 2 remain far apart on some key issues, including wages, after five days of bargaining, the SEIU said in a news release Tuesday.

The workers will be in a legal strike position by the end of the week, the release said.

Dexterra filed an application at the Manitoba Labour Relations board to extend a freeze provision Monday, the SEIU said.

Cleaners at the University of Winnipeg, many of whom are new immigrants to Canada, organized a union this spring, the release said.