Chartwells Dining Workers at Acadia University to Strike March 23 Over Wages

Roughly 55 food service workers at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia will walk off the job at midnight Monday after months of stalled negotiations with their employer, Chartwells, a multi-billion-dollar contract dining company that SEIU Local 2 says has rejected every union proposal on job security and refused to offer raises that keep pace with the cost of living.

The strike, set to begin March 23, follows a vote the union described as an "overwhelming majority" in favor of work stoppage. More than half of the approximately 55 Chartwells employees at Acadia currently earn only minimum wage, according to SEIU Local 2, despite many having worked at the university for decades through multiple contractor changes.

"The Chartwells bosses at Acadia University don't respect us," the union said in a social media post earlier this month. "As food service workers, we provide an essential service to students and yet, we are the lowest paid workers on campus."

The union is asking for wage increases of at least $1 to $1.50 per hour per year over the next three years, which would push pay to a range of $20 to $24.50 per hour by January 2028. Workers are also seeking stronger job protections and time-and-a-half pay on holidays. On vacation pay, SEIU Local 2 says Chartwells wants any improvements left to management's discretion rather than guaranteed in the contract.

Bargaining has been ongoing since November 2025. The parties met with a government mediator, but SEIU Local 2 says the talks have gone nowhere. "The workers have been bargaining since November 2025 and have met with a government mediator, but Chartwells still refuses to make a fair offer," the union stated in a March 20 release. "Chartwells is a multi-billion-dollar company. They can afford to provide fair compensation for important work. We should expect nothing less from employers in our community, especially at a prestigious institution like Acadia."

Chartwells has not issued a public statement in response to the union's claims, and Acadia University's position on the dispute has not been made available.

SEIU Local 2 has called a public rally for noon Monday outside Wheelock Dining Hall at 44 Highland Avenue in Wolfville. Students, faculty, and community members have voiced support for the workers, and the Acadia Students' Union is among the organizations listed as allies alongside the Canadian Labour Congress, CUPE Nova Scotia, NSGEU, and PSAC Atlantic. The exact locations of picket lines were to be announced the morning the strike begins.

SEIU Local 2 represents 20,000 workers across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Manitoba, Alberta, and British Columbia. Media inquiries can be directed to Diego Mendez at 416-476-7762 or dmendez@seiulocal2.ca, or Tina Oh at 902-955-9966 or toh@seiulocal2.ca.