THE UNITER: Janitors Secure New Contract
“Janitorial team at the U of W receives higher wages, will no longer strike.” Read the news in the UNITER.
Justice for Janitors @ UofW
Cleaners at the University of Winnipeg formed a union in the spring of 2025.
About Us
Contracted janitors at the University of Winnipeg have formed a Union and have won their first Union contract!
Thank you for your support!
But the struggle is not over.
Now we need to ensure that the workers benefits and union rights are protected in the event of a contract change to a new service provider.
More details coming soon!
Latest Updates
October 5, 2025
After reaching a tentative deal on Saturday October 4, Dexterra cleaners ratified their first contract on Sunday! Details of the improvements won will be announced soon.
As part of the Memorandum of Settlement, the Unfair Labour Practice was resolved.
Sign the Petition
We are still collecting signatures!
Please scroll down in the white box.
Worker Voices
Below are statements that preceded the ratification of the Union Contract. Updated statements coming soon.
“I have four children and a wife. My expenses include dental, hydro, car insurance, mobile phone, Wi-Fi, and more. It’s too much. The wage increase will help me with these expenses.”
Dawit Habte
“With the health and dental plan, we’re going to be happy and healthy. It was a big victory for us. You can buy medicine which will help you a lot. Being able to care for my teeth makes my life very good. Many co-workers have children who will benefit from coverage as well.”
Rachel Adior
“It took courage to win our union. The wage increase will help me buy shoes, clothing, and food, which will help a lot.”
Negese Awe
“I came to Canada to improve my life by working hard. I like my job, but my salary is not enough to cover my basic needs. We need better working conditions.”
Habtom Keleta
“Everyday I clean 38 washrooms. I always feel very rushed because there are not enough hours; sometimes I have to run to finish my work. I don’t make enough to cover my family’s expenses. I am studying to be a healthcare aide at the Academy of Learning, supporting people with disabilities in the hospital.”
Senait Gessess
“It doesn’t cover my family expenses; I manage by squeezing my life each day. I want to support them and provide the best possible future for them.”
Selim Osman
Community Support
Thank you for the incredible outpouring of support! Keep it coming 🙂
Every worker deserves to earn a living wage and have health and financial security. Keep on rockin’!
– Norman B.
Thank you for taking care of our campus. You are more appreciated than you know by the students!
– Denielle P.
You are so deserving of your rights to fair pay! Keep advocating, organizing, and making a difference. You are appreciated!
– Hailey W.
Solidarity with the janitors!
– Maggie T.
Thank you for all your hard work keeping our campus clean!
– Eddie W.
We need you guys! Everyone deserves a liveable wage.
– Eli M.
Your hard work does not go unappreciated! Thank you so much for the essential service you provide to the University campus and its facilities.
– Sergiy M.
The janitors at our school are amazing and all the hardworking the doesn’t go unnoticed
—Kuingu P.
Without your work, no one can teach, learn, or research. … we cannot function without you. Good wages, reasonable hours, and safe conditions are the baseline. Thank you for your work!
– Raymond L.
Legal Complaint
An Unfair Labour Practice complaint was filed against Dexterra at the Manitoba Labour Relations Board. They are accused of:
- Multiple captive audience meetings where they spread misinformation and made anti-union statements and threats.
- Asking employees to reveal whether they had signed memberships cards.
- Instructed certain employees to rescind membership cards.
- Threatened employees with termination, to coerce them to rescind union membership cards.
Hearing dates at board are scheduled for October (14, 15, 16, 23 and 24).
The Latest
Janitors at the University of Winnipeg ratify first Union Contract
Nearly 40 Dexterra employees will get raises, employee paid health benefits and more.
Janitors vote overwhelmingly to authorize strike at the University of Winnipeg
University’s cleaning contractor using delay tactics, according to the Union.