New organizing schedule for 2024!

Thanks to you and many others like you, we won legislated cost of living adjustments to minimum wage rates federally and in Ontario. That means on April 1, the new federal minimum wage will be $17.30 and on October 1, the new Ontario minimum wage will be $17.20. 

By campaigning across the country we have also pushed a number of provincial and territorial  governments to raise the minimum wage. (Click here to see current minimum wage rates across Canada, then scroll down the page for a list of upcoming minimum wage rates taking effect in 2024.)

Still, it's obvious minimum wage rates are far too low -- even when adjusted for inflation. But every dollar redirected from corporate profit to workers’ pockets is an important win for us -- and a reminder of what we can do when we fight together. 

But to win even better wage increases and legislative protections that could really transform bad jobs into better ones, our movement needs to get bigger. (Learn more about the fight to raise the minimum wage in Ontario, and why we all need at least $20 an hour.)

New organizing schedule

At the January Justice for Workers organizing meeting, we agreed to adjust the pace of meetings, so that local organizers have more time to do outreach -- and follow-up. Afterall, we know those one-on-one organizing conversations are essential in activating supporters, engaging new people, and building our local capacity on the ground. 

So instead of meeting provincially every four weeks and organizing additional local in-person meetings, we decided to try alternating provincial meetings with local meetings. In other words, we will have an online provincial meeting one month and next month, we’ll have a local in-person meeting or event. Of course, if you already have a successful routine of monthly or bi-weekly local events, don’t change a thing! 

In 2024, the provincial meetings will take place on Tuesdays at 7:00 pm ET on the following dates: March 12; May 7; August 27; October 22; and December 10. For the full schedule, and to RSVP for upcoming events, visit our meetings and event page.

Let us know if you would like support to organize a local meeting, event or outreach blitz! We can also help you get a local Justice for Workers chapter off the ground. Email us at [email protected]. 

If you missed the January organizing meeting, you can listen to the recording here.

Attention health workers!

Ontario's healthcare system is in crisis. Poor working conditions and system-wide under-funding is threatening the safety of health workers and patients alike. If the Ford government moves ahead with its plan to further privatize healthcare services, access to care and health worker burnout will only get worse.

On Saturday, February 24 at 12 noon ET, the Decent Work and Health Network is inviting health workers from across the province to a crucial online forum to strategize about how we can link the movement for decent work with the fight to defend and improve public healthcare. We'll hear from the following guest speakers:

• Birgit Umaigba, nurse, clinical instructor, and public speaker
• Debra Slater, personal support worker and coordinator of Empower PSW Network
• Doug Allan, researcher with Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)

All health workers and students in the field of health are welcome and encouraged to attend!

Local organizing

> Wednesday, February 7 | 10:00 am

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Student Worker Alliance

On February 7 at 10:00 am, the TMU Student Worker Alliance will be hosting a Wall of wages outside the Hub Cafe in Jorgenson Hall (380 Victoria Street, 1st floor, TMU).  

Drop by the Wall of Wages to see where your hourly earnings fall compared to Loblaws billionaire Galen Weston or the TMU President Mohamed Lachemi. While you're at it, sign the petition for decent work and wages and learn more about this new student club at TMU!  Please RSVP here.

> Tuesday, February 13 | 6:00 pm

Toronto

Join the Toronto chapter of Justice for Workers for our first in-person local organizing meeting of 2024. At the meeting, we’ll be hearing from Uber drivers and Amazon workers and together we’ll strategize about how we can support each other as we take on bad bosses. We’ll be hearing from health workers and learn why the fight against privatization is also the fight to protect and extend decent work in all our communities. Help us make a plan about what we want to organize together in the months ahead. Doors open at 5:30 pm and the meeting starts at 6:00 pm. Please RSVP here.

> Tuesday, February 13 | 6:00 pm

Sudbury

Calling all workers and advocates for fair labor practices! Mark your calendars for February 13th at 6pm at The Sudbury Workers Education & Advocacy Centre. Join us for our upcoming Justice for Workers Sudbury Meeting, where we're diving deep into crucial issues affecting workers' rights. From wages to hours to leaves, we're addressing it all and empowering you with the knowledge and resources you need to advocate for change. Please RSVP here.

> Saturday, February 17 | 12:00 noon

Hamilton

If you’re a decent work fighter in Hamilton, let's do lunch!  The Hamilton chapter of Justice for Workers will be hosting a get-together at 12-noon on Saturday, February 17, where we can break some bread, beef about bad bosses, and brainstorm about what we want to accomplish in 2024! We’ll be meeting at Solidarity Place at 51 Adair Avenue South (L8H 1B5). Please RSVP as soon as you can so we can bring enough food and beverages for everyone! Please RSVP here.

> Sunday, February 18 | 3:00 pm

Guelph

The fight for justice at work is connected to the fight for justice in society. On Sunday, February 18, the Guelph chapter of Justice for Workers is hosting a discussion and organizing meeting in the Community Organizing Space at 42 Carden Street. At the meeting, we'll be discussing what it will really take to win decent work and a decent life for everyone, as well as what next steps we can take to make it happen. Please RSVP here.

> Tuesday, March 5 | 12:30 pm 

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Student Worker Alliance

"Can I be fired for taking a sick day?", "Is it legal to be paid in cash"?, "Can they make me take training shifts but not pay me?" We’ll answer these and other questions at this Know Your Rights workshop. Join us in the Social Work Lounge at 12:30 pm on March 5. Together, we’ll learn what our rights are, how we can enforce them and push the government to create laws that better protect all of us.  Please RSVP here.