Overview

• Custodian Shakira Zahiruddin, 32 and eight months pregnant, was terminated on Aug. 26 and says her health coverage ended days later, leaving her uninsured as an October due date approaches.
• TWU Local 264 alleges the layoff violated the contract’s seniority provisions, claiming a less-senior male employee was retained; records cited by the union show her hire date as April 6, 2024, and his as July 29, 2024.
• The union has filed a grievance seeking her full reinstatement with restored seniority, pay, benefits and paid maternity leave, with the case to proceed through HR and potentially to independent arbitration.
• In a statement, Barnard described itself as a fair workplace that follows laws protecting pregnant employees and said the one-time staff restructuring followed union seniority rules and left affected workers eligible to apply for open roles.
• Union officials say the college urged Zahiruddin to apply for another custodial opening that would reset her as a probationary hire at lower pay without guaranteed maternity leave.