It seems like everywhere, workers are being forced to take strike action to fight for fair wages and good jobs in our communities. 

Whether we work at Hydro Ottawa, the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library, or at a Metro grocery store; whether we are a public health nurse in Belleville or a journalist, educator, or producer at TVO - we are all experiencing the same trends: wages that won’t keep up with rising prices and a shift from stable, full-time employment to temporary, part-time and insecure jobs. It simply can’t continue.

That’s why it’s so crucial that we link our struggles and take on bad bosses together.

At next Tuesday’s provincial organizing meeting, we’ll be doing just that: sharing updates and learning lessons about strikes, solidarity actions and organizing events.

Please join us online, Tuesday, August 29 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. We need all hands on deck! 

URGENT: Support Metro workers

Right now, Metro grocery store workers and hundreds of other workers across the GTA are picketing the Metro warehouse centre in Etobicoke at 5559 Dundas St. West. It’s really important we all make time to stop by to show support! If you aren’t in a position to visit in person, please make your solidarity visible by posting a solidarity selfie on social media. You can make your own sign, or use one of these printable versions:

• Metro, come off it! It’s time to share your profit
• It’s time for wages to “Ketchup”
• “Lettuce” make sure Metro workers get better wages
• Metro workers deserve better wages

If you use at least one of these hashtags: #SupportMetroWorkers #MetroStrike #Justice4Workers - we will do our best to share your post. 

You can also put up posters around any Metro store in your neighbourhood. Posters are available here to download and print. If you live in Toronto, you can pick up your own stash of posters outside Suite 223 at 720 Spadina Avenue anytime between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm. Alternatively, we can mail posters to you if you fill out this order form.

It’s a disgrace that one of the most profitable grocery store monopolies in this country refuses to provide livable wages, adequate hours, and job security to its employees. That’s why 3,700 frontline workers at 27 Metro stores have decided enough is enough; they’re taking on this corporate giant on behalf of all workers in the retail sector.

Despite record profits in 2023, Metro has yet to come back to the table with a serious offer that addresses workers’ concerns. Workers are flexing their muscles by shutting down the distribution centres Metro depends on to provide stock for its operations.

We all know: Metro would not be raking in its massive profits, without the workers who grow and pick the food we buy, who process it and then transport it to workers who stock store shelves, staff the checkouts, and keep facilities clean and safe. That’s why all of us have a stake in this fight.

A win for these workers will send a message to all the corporate, pandemic profiteers that workers are prepared to fight for fairness at work and stand together so none of us are left behind. As the Metro workers themselves have said: when we fight together, we WIN together! 

Status for All 

September 17 Day of Action

The federal government has promised to regularize all migrants to ensure all workers have full and equal access to their rights under the law, but it's not moving quickly enough. As the fires and other disasters show, too many workers are not getting the support they need. Undocumented migrants are particularly vulnerable. Indeed, because they do not have equal status under the law, nearly half a million people cannot access basic workplace rights, healthcare and other crucial programs. Regularizing all migrants must be an urgent priority for this government.

That’s why we are mobilizing for the September 17 Day of Action for Status for All. To learn more and to let us know you can be part of a Justice for Workers contingent on the day, register here.

Employment Insurance

Emergency Measures are needed to address wildfires, floods and other disasters

With a summer of wildfires and flooding, it’s clear we need the federal government to take action to ensure workers have access to adequate income support during these kinds of disasters. But as it stands, too many workers in part-time, temporary and precarious employment face eligibility criteria that put their EI entitlements out of reach. Migrant workers are particularly vulnerable. That’s why the Inter-Provincial Employment Insurance Working Group (Justice for Workers is part of this network) issued an urgent call for action. You can read the full statement here. 

Upcoming Justice for Workers’ Actions

Scroll down for a list of upcoming solidarity and outreach actions. More events come online all the time, so please also check our events page regularly. Don’t see an action in your neighborhood? We can help you organize one in your community! 

We have a handy toolkit and resource guide and you can also checkout our resources page for current leaflets and posters.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 

TUESDAY, AUGUST 29 

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4