MEDIA ADVISORY: Hundreds of Precarious, Frontline Workers March on Queen’s Park to Demand Decent Work for All on May Day

April 26, 2022

For more information, contact Rajean Hoilett: 289-923-3534, [email protected]

TORONTO – Frontline workers in unstable, low-wage and precarious jobs are meeting at Grange Park for a rally and celebration before marching to the Ontario Federation of Labour’s (OFL) province-wide day of action at Queen’s Park on Sunday, May 1. With the Ontario election just weeks away, workers are calling on all parties to deliver fair wages, decent hours, paid sick days, equal pay, and labour laws that protect everyone.

WHEN: 12:00 pm, Sunday, May 1, 2022 
WHERE: Grange Park (south of Dundas Street West and Beverly Street, behind Ontario College of Art and Design University.
WHO: Frontline workers in unstable, low-wage jobs and workers’ rights advocates are available to speak to the media about their Ontario election priorities. The rally will also include tenants, anti-poverty activists, early childhood educators, health providers and climate justice activists.  
WHAT: Decent work rally (Grange Park 12:00 noon); March to Ministry of Labour (arriving 1:15 pm); March to Queen’s Park to join the Ontario Federation of Labour city-wide rally (arriving 2:00 pm).
VISUALS: Hundreds of workers gathered for speeches and performances; Homemade banners in multiple languages; Balloons and brightly coloured placards. 

BACKGROUND

  • May 1 is a provincial day of action called by the Ontario Federation of Labour to advocate for government policies that support workers and their communities. More than 20 actions are taking place across Ontario.
  • Through the Justice for Workers campaign, workers are calling for a $20 minimum wage, 10 permanent, employer-paid sick days, equal pay for equal work for part-time and contract workers; real protections for temp agency workers and gig workers; and other legislative changes to ensure everyone has decent work. Click here to read more about workers' demands. 
  • May 1, or May Day, is known around the world as International Workers Day, a day to mark and advance the struggle for decent work.