The workers at Uptown — a property managed by Shapes —  have been fighting for a first collective agreement for almost a year.  Their Employer, however, is refusing to give workers any paid sick days and provide them with wages that meet the rising costs of living in Victoria, BC. This is unacceptable in normal times, but during a global health pandemic is abhorrent. The workers have now voted to go on strike and will engage in a work stoppage if Everclean does not provide a fair offer.

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought increased risks to frontline workers who have been keeping society running throughout this pandemic. Janitors working for Everclean have been essential to protecting the health and safety of the thousands of people in the Victoria and Saanich community who visit Uptown daily to work and for its various services, healthcare providers and retailers. According to Shapes Properties website, there are 23,000 visitors each day and 8.4 million visitors each year at Uptown Shopping Centre.

While Everclean and Shapes Property Management management has emphasized heightened attention to cleaning at Uptown and has shown verbal appreciation for the work of cleaners, this has not translated into better working conditions for the cleaners. Instead Everclean has delayed the bargaining process and offered next to nothing in negotiations.