Photo courtesy Canadian Press

By CKPG Today

Job action looms

LNG janitors vote to strike

Dec 21, 2020 | 9:58 AM

KITIMAT — Industrial janitors are ready to walk off from LNG Canada’s camp in Kitimat over what their union claims are broken promises and poor health and safety protections during the pandemic.

UNITE HERE Local 40 says the janitors have voted 84 per cent in favour of a strike.

In a press release, the union says the janitors are “frustrated with the lack of progress in contract negotiations with subcontractor Dexterra over poor health conditions and safety protections and broken promises at the LNG site.

“LNG janitors work on the frontlines in construction sites surrounded by heavy machinery, cleaning work camps staffed by hundreds of other LNG workers. They are among the lowest paid workers at the LNG site.

“Janitors have not been provided with a living wage, adequate staffing levels, fair workloads, and enough health and safety equipment to protect against COVID-19 until recently.”

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The union says janitors have attempted to work through these issues at the bargaining table for months.

“Many of the janitors are First Nations who came to LNG because of promises of good jobs,” says Gary Hill, LNG janitor. “British Columbians, particularly Indigenous workers, deserve more from this $40 billion project.”

“LNG Canada expects employers to prioritize the health and safety of employees, and to treat them with fairness and respect,” says an LNG Canada spokesperson.