(The following article is from the March 1-15, 2009, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading communist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $25/year, or $12 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $25 US per year; other overseas readers - $25 US or $35 CDN per year. Send to: People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 133 Herkimer St., Unit 502, Hamilton, ON, L8P 2H3.)

PV Vancouver Bureau

Next time you shell out eight bucks for a beer or a hot dog at General Motors Place, remember that the profits from those outrageous prices go to Orca Bay (owners of the Vancouver Canucks) and to global food service contractor Aramark, which employs the GM Place workers.

     Without a contract since December, 750 concessions and other food service workers at GM Place are demanding respect from Aramark, which rings up $13 billion annual sales. Their union, UNITE HERE Local 40, reports that the company is trying to stall bargaining, but workers are determined to see their contract settled before the end of the hockey season.

     "The average Aramark worker is an immigrant woman of colour juggling 2-3 jobs in order to live in Vancouver and support a family," says UNITE HERE. "Many Aramark workers also work as caregivers, as housekeepers or in other food service jobs, in addition to their jobs at GM Place. Many are long term GM Place workers yet they are not treated with respect. 85% of Aramark workers use public transportation. Some commute up to two hours to and from work for a four hour shift. Aramark currently refuses to administer - at no cost to the company - a transit pass program that would give employees a 20% discount on transit costs that eat up as much as one-quarter of a shift's wages."

     The GM Place workers are fighting for decent wages, healthcare benefits, job security and respect. But the company wants to cut the current 4-hour minimum shift to a 2-hour minimum. GM Place is a 2010 Olympic hockey venue, but Aramark refuses to guarantee work for its long term food service employees during the Games. More than half of Aramark workers who qualify for medical benefits aren't receiving them.

     This contract struggle also includes an important demand for equal treatment. Aramark refuses to provide secure and dignified changing room facilities for 500 women workers, who must use 250 lockers while crammed into a tiny changing room, while 250 men have 250 lockers and ample room to change.

     UNITE HERE is holding a support rally for its GM Place members on Friday, Feb. 27, on the Abbott Street side of the arena at 4:45 pm. Look for coverage in our next issue.