The Workers Who Feed Trent University Shouldn’t Struggle to Feed Their Families

PETERBOROUGH, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Foodservice workers at Trent University, employed by Compass Group, unveiled a petition today calling for fair wages and respect for the lowest-paid workers on campus.

“We’ve seen the cost-of-living skyrocket, and wages here simply haven’t kept up. We’re skilled workers who take pride in serving the students, staff and faculty at Trent, but we’re not treated with the same respect as other employees at the university. At the same time, our wages, which used to be well above minimum wage, are now at or barely above the lowest wage permitted by law,” said Kimberley Stevens, a baker and president of CUPE 3205.

The move comes as talks between the workers and their direct employer, Compass, have stalled. Compass is a British multinational foodservice corporation that posted an operating profit of more than US$2.5 billion and increased shareholder dividends by 13.7% in 2024.

“Our employer is reaping massive profits off our backs and by reducing portion sizes and quality. It’s all embarrassing. Trent University should be embarrassed. What Compass is doing in Peterborough is completely inconsistent with the values that Trent claims to hold,” said Stevens.

As a result, staff turnover among the female-dominated workforce has risen sharply. Nearly 40 percent of the 128 workers were newly hired in the last 18 months. Workers who once were part of the university community for decades now leave for better paying jobs within a year or two. This increases workload on remaining staff and further deteriorates service and quality for the students, the workers say.

“We work hard to feed Trent University. We shouldn’t struggle to keep food on the table for our own families. Something has to change,” said Stevens.

cj/cope491