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CUPE has launched a campaign against the contracting out of food services at the University at Regina.

Compass, the parent company of Chartwells, is allowing Bento Sushi to open a food kiosk at the University of Regina and employ non-union workers for production.  This will mean that Bento Sushi is the only Chartwells franchise operator at the University of Regina to employ non-CUPE staff.

“We are urging the University and Chartwells to ensure that workers at Bento Sushi are covered by the same collective agreement as all other Chartwells workers,” said Jamie Mellor, President of CUPE Local 5791.  “These workers deserve a fair wage and the protection that belonging to a union provides.”

CUPE 5791 represents 50 members who work for Chartwells and a total of 900 members at the University of Regina.

“This seems like an attempt to “bust” the union and to erode the bargaining unit,” added Mellor.  “If this is allowed with Bento Sushi, what is to stop the other franchises from also deciding to employ their own non-union staff?”

CUPE is calling for a boycott of Bento Sushi while exploring legal options.