Justice for Scotia Square Janitors

80 janitors' jobs are at risk at Scotia Square in Halifax

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Background

Many families in Nova Scotia are finding it hard to make ends meet. The cost of living in Halifax is comparable to that of Toronto’s.

Through SEIU Local 2, the approximately 80 janitors at Scotia Square employed by GDI have been doing what they can to keep up with the rising cost of living and provide a better life for their families.

In January 2025, janitors working for GDI in the HRM, including Scotia Square, ratified a new collective agreement with important gains after a hard-fought campaign. In addition to raises, workers won a reduction in the time of service needed to be eligible for benefits, addressed concerns about unreasonable workloads, and won a pension plan commencing in 2027.

The lack of successor rights in the region means contracted workers like the GDI cleaners at Scotia Square, are susceptible to losing gains they make through collective bargaining, and even their jobs, when a contract flips to another cleaning company.

Now, the cleaning contract for Scotia Square, a property owned by Crombie REIT, is out for tender. The workers who clean the property need a commitment from the janitorial contractors bidding for the work that their jobs and union contract will be respected.

"We stand shoulder to shoulder with the workers at Scotia Square, because ultimately, their fight is our fight."
- David Sheppard, Casino Nova Scotia
"Everyone deserves dignity at work, and until precarious employment like contracted janitorial work is made secure for those who do it, the workers at Glitter Bean will stand with them in solidarity."
- Isabel Atwell, Glitter Bean
“When we stand together, we win together. Our union isn't just a group — it's our collective strength, our voice at the table, and our guarantee that every worker is treated with fairness and respect. What is happening at Scotia Square is the exact opposite of this. Let us support these workers and their rights."
- Paul Lynch, Casino Nova Scotia
"These workers have fought for a better workplace and deserve to keep their jobs with the improved conditions fought so hard for. I stand with them until their union gets the recognition they deserve."
- Sarah Manchon, Pier 21
"These workers risk losing so much of what they've fought for ... and that's just not fair. I'm prepared to rally my workplace, my network, and my community to take a stand for these workers. They need to do the right thing ... they need to recognize these workers and their union, the results of their collective bargaining, and their rights."
- Shannon Power, Welcome Housing
"If these companies are going to be able to simply pull the rug out from under workers who've worked so hard to fight for improvements in their workplaces, working people everywhere have the responsibility of fighting back."
- Anne Huntley, Aramark at SMU
"If the cleaners at Scotia Square need our support, we're here to give it to them. Solidarity with other working people is what being in a union is all about".
- Terri Ayles, The Bridge
"Anything that the ownership class in this city can get away with against the most unfortunate of us is what they want to do to the rest of us .. it's important for us all to stand together as the working class and take on the bosses so we can actually win some rights in this province."
- Tyson Boyd, Pete’s Frootique
"The janitors are facing a contract flip that could make them lose their union rights and lose their wages and possibly lose their jobs - and I don't think that's fair. I will stand with them and rally with them and make sure their voices are heard."
- Rose Hyslop, Shelter NS
"I can only imagine what it must be like to work in such a precarious industry as contracted janitorial work -- we need legislation to keep the stability and security of these jobs for the people who do them."
- Lindsay Vandewater, The Bridge
"Janitors built this union ... Janitors built the power that we have so it's important to it's show up for them .. We are ready to march down to the offices of the property management company at Scotia Square and demand that they recognize this union contract and recognize this union."
- Nicholle Savoie, Pete’s Frootique
"Solidarity is the biggest tool we have to fight for fairness ... I will stand with these workers, I'll sign petitions, and I'll walk the streets in front of Scotia Square if I have to."
- Dustin White, Aramark at Dalhousie University

Worker Voices

Wilson Kei

“All we want is to have our union rights recognized no matter who we’re working for at Scotia Square.”

—Wilson Kei
GDI Janitor at Scotia Square

Natasha Keating
“We want to hold onto the improvements we’ve been able to make over our last couple of contracts – for many of us, they’ve really made a difference to our livelihoods.”

—Natasha Keating
GDI Janitor at Scotia Square

Dele Amudipe (2)

“With the cost of living going up as quickly as it is, we need to hold onto the improvements we’ve been able to achieve over the past several years if we’ve got any shot of making ends meet.”

—Dele Amudipe
GDI Janitor at Scotia Square

Halifax in Solidarity

SEIU has over 1,400 members within the downtown core near Scotia Square. There has been an incredible show of support for the janitors from SEIU members at other sites in Downtown Halifax and across the province of Nova Scotia!

Haligonians who work in all sectors of the economy in Halifax, from café workers to grocery store workers, from community services workers to casino employees, fellow cleaners and more, are in solidarity with Scotia Square janitors.