Alderney Gate Janitorial Workers and SEIU Local 2

On February 18, Regional Council and the CAO received an email from SEIU Local 2 on behalf of 12 janitorial workers employed by GDI.  GDI had maintained the cleaning contract for Alderney Gate, which goes out to tender every 4-5 years. In the last round of bidding for that contract, another company - Imperial Cleaners - won the contract, not GDI.  As a consequence, the 12 cleaners employed by GDI who had worked at Alderney Gate could lose their job.

Because of the flood of emails and calls, Council was presented with this Q&A to provide responses to inquiries. SEIU Local 2 delivered their response here. Through further emails, I understand that SEIU Local 2 is now challenging the living wage requirement for Imperial Cleaners.

The procurement process is open and transparent, and is already governed by the Supplier Code of Conduct. Any company can and should challenge the outcomes of the RFQ process if they feel there is reason. There is absolutely a path to do so. 

Council, however, is not that path. We, as Councillors, are at arms length from procurement to protect the integrity of the process. We can affect change on the Administrative Order on Procurement (which SEIU Local 2 does not challenge), but not the outcomes of individual bidders (which SEIU 2 does challenge).  

On a personal level, I feel terrible for the janitorial staff working for GDI. I understand that some folks have worked at Alderney Gate for more than a decade, and this is a terrible shock. Should there be evidence, I hope that SEIU Local 2 will challenge the merit of the RFQ from Imperial Cleaners through the appropriate channels, and the outcomes remain transparent.

Update: Nov 6:
SIEU Local 2 is now asking the Nova Scotia supreme court to review the contract. Further update is here.