The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) filed a complaint with the Ministry of Labour on behalf of employees of Impact Cleaning Services Ltd.

The complaint alleges that many of the cleaning contractor’s employees in Toronto are being paid less than the minimum wage and are working without WSIB, EI or CPP benefits.

Read the Complaint

SEIU says that the problems faced by employees at Impact Cleaning Services Ltd. are the product of an elaborate scheme set up by the company to subcontract work in an effort to avoid its obligations under the law. 

“In one case we found a subcontractor who was being paid $9.00 per hour. Impact told the subcontractor that they had to provide their own WSIBcoverage. The minimum wage is $8.75. How do you provide vacation pay and remit WSIB, EI and CPP premiums on 25 cents per hour. It isn’t possible and Impact knows this,” said Julio DaSilva, an SEIU activist.

SEIU says that it also intends to raise its concerns with the property managers and building owners that contract work to Impact Cleaning Services Ltd. “We hope to start a dialogue with Impact’s clients. If that doesn’t work we will resort to other forms of action including public demonstrations,” said Cam Nelson, President of SEIU Local 2.