TUESDAY! We need YOU at the decent work organizing meeting
Two years into the pandemic, frontline workers continue to work in dangerous, low-wage work without adequate paid sick days. And for those who lost their jobs during the Omicron crisis, federal income support remains totally inadequate and difficult to access.
It's clear our governments are more beholden to corporate interests than they are to protecting workers. Or as Economist Jim Stanford puts it:
"Bosses need workers to keep working, no matter what: after all, that’s what produces the value-added. And if workers must die in the process, so be it." [1]
Governments will only take action when they are more afraid of us than they are of the backlash from corporations. That's why we must continue fighting for decent work.
Can you join us this Tuesday, January 18 at 7 pm EST?
Over 400 joined our Omicron Emergency Town Hall
On January 11th, Justice for Workers co-hosted with the Workers' Action Centre and the Decent Work and Health Network an Emergency Town Hall on how the Omicron crisis is impacting workers. Over 400 people joined the meeting, and many more sent their regrets and asked if the meeting would be recorded. The good news is: if you missed the Town Hall, you can watch it now!
Don't miss the next provincial organizing meeting
Your participation at the next meeting is crucial. Here are the breakout groups we'll be hosting at Tuesday's meeting:
- Federal issues: Emergency Income Support; Status for All; Indigenous justice; Fix Employment Insurance for good
- Paid sick days: Keep fighting for provincial and federal laws
- Early Childhood Education: Organizing for safe and healthy child care from decent wages, workplace protections and paid sick days
- Occupational Health & Safety & Injured Workers: Section 21; Workers Safety and Insurance (Workers compensation)
- Organizing for decent work: Ending misclassification, Protections for gig workers; Equal pay for part-time, contract, and temp agency workers; Just cause protection for all
- ASL - Organizing for decent work: Workers at the Bob Rumball Centre for Excellence for the Deaf (CUPE 4263) in Milton will lead this breakout group on local organizing that will be conducted in American Sign Language and English
We hope you can join us next Tuesday, January 18 at 7 pm EST. The meeting will have ASL interpretation and Closed Captioning. Click here to RSVP.
Reinstate $500 in Emergency Income Support NOW!
Workers are being devastated by the loss of work and wages but the current Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit provides only $270 per week after tax for workers to survive on. And the new restrictions on access means it is even harder for workers to get supports than when the pandemic first broke.
Please call on the federal government to provide $500 in weekly income support to all those who need it. Help us put pressure on politicians and win tangible changes in the lives of workers.
Thank you for being an important part of the movement for decent work. I hope to see you at the organizing meeting next Tuesday!
Jared Ong
On behalf of the Justice for Workers campaign
WE ARE WINNING! From minimum wage hikes to legislating paid sick days - organizing works!
Thanks to you, there is dramatic progress in the fight for decent work. From raising the floor to a $20 minimum wage to legislating 10 permanent paid sick days, we are gaining real ground.
We hope you can celebrate with us on our final online Decent Work Organizing meeting of the year taking place on Tuesday, December 14 at 7:00 pm.
Minimum Wage Round-Up
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The Ontario New Democratic Party supports our demand for a $20 minimum wage. If elected, the NDP will raise the minimum wage to $16 on Oct. 1, 2022; $17 on May 1, 2023; $18 in 2024; $19 in 2025; and $20 in 2026, and then indexing wages to inflation beyond 2026.
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Ontario’s Conservative Premier Doug Ford was forced to reverse his 2018 decision to cancel our $15 minimum wage. Minimum-wage workers in Ontario will see a 4.5% wage increase on January 1, 2022. And the minimum wage is likely to become $15.60 in October 2022 due to annual cost of living adjustments.
This falls short of the $15.75 we would have had today if Ford had not cancelled $15 in 2018. And as the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives estimates, an average minimum wage earner lost more than $3,000 over the past three years. In total, this transferred $1.7 billion away from the lowest paid, essential workers to corporate profit. [1] -
The Federal Liberal government fulfilled its promise for a $15 minimum wage. This December 29th, there will be a federal minimum wage for the first time in 25 years. Under this legislation, the federal minimum wage will be either $15 or the provincial minimum wage where most work is done -- whichever is higher. This means raises for federal workers in 7 different provinces.
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The New Brunswick Conservative government announced a two-step, $2.00 minimum wage increase. The first $1 increase takes effect on April 1, 2022, and the second $1 increase takes effect on October 1, 2022. This 17% increase to $13.75 is not enough. But it does show that when workers organize, we can make a difference.
Paid Sick Days Round-Up
- Both the Ontario NDP and Liberals tabled legislation for 10 permanent, employer-paid sick days. But when the NDP's Bill-8 came to a vote, every Conservative MPP voted against paid sick days for the 27th time. We know the majority of Ontarians support paid sick days, so let's remind every Conservative MPP they voted against paid sick days this coming provincial election.
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The Federal Liberal government is prioritizing legislation for 10 paid sick days. Sadly, the Liberal's Bill C-3 allows employers to ask workers to get a sick note -- which defeats the purpose of having workers stay home when they are sick. And workers will only 'earn' 1 paid sick day for each month of work. Before the legislation is passed, we need you to tell your MP: we want seamlessly accessible 10 paid sick days immediately.
- The British Columbia NDP government announced 5 employer-paid sick days taking effect on January 1, 2022. This is an important first step and should inspire us to keep fighting until every worker has access to at least 10, employer-paid sick days.
There is real momentum for decent work across Canada. Thanks to you, fair wages, paid sick days, and safer workplaces will be central election issues in the months ahead. Please help us keep up the fight by joining our Justice for Workers organizing meeting on Tuesday, December 14 at 7:00 pm.
Decent Work Calendar
Tuesday, December 7
OTTAWA: Decent work organizing meeting | 7:00 pm | online
Join us for this online planning meeting where we will be discussing the next steps in the fight for decent work in the Ottawa area. From "Know your Workplace Rights" workshops to canvassing, and from MPP visits to phone zaps, let's organize for the year ahead!
RSVP to get the Zoom link and share on Facebook here
Wednesday, December 8
PAN-CANADIAN: Bring back CRB & Fix EI Phone Action | online
It's not too late for Justin Trudeau and Chrystia Freeland to do the right thing and restore CRB. But with only days left before parliament recesses, we need to act now to let our MP's know we expect them to do the right thing.
We will be hosting two phone actions, so choose the time that works best for you:
- 11:30 am to 12:15 pm EST (8:30 am to 9:15 am PST and 12:30 pm to 1:15 pm AST)
- 6:00 pm to 6:45 pm EST (3:00 pm to 3:45 pm PST and 7:00 to 7:45 pm AST)
RSVP to get the Zoom link or share the event on Facebook.
Sunday, December 12
LONDON: Decent work outreach blitz | 11:00 am | in person
Join us as we talk to people in London about 10 paid sick days, a $20 minimum wage, extending the CRB, safer working conditions and decent work for all! We'll meet at 1055 Wellington Rd. We will be at the parking lot outside the White Oaks Mall Walmart at 11:00 am.
RSVP to get a reminder email or RSVP and share on Facebook.
PEEL/BRAMPTON: Decent work holiday social | 12:00 noon | in person
Join us at Tomken Arena (4495 Tomken Road, Mississauga) to celebrate all the amazing organizing for decent work that workers have been doing in Peel. There will be raffles, games on decent work, loot bags for the kids and refreshments. Please make sure you let us know the ages of your children and how many people you are bringing so we can make sure there is enough food.
RSVP to get a reminder email and RSVP and share on Facebook
Tuesday, December 14
ONTARIO & Canada: Decent work organizing meeting | 7:00 pm EST | online
There is growing momentum for a $20 minimum wage; for 10 paid sick days plus an additional 2 weeks during pandemics; for equal pay; and for real protections for frontline workers, including gig workers, temp agency workers, part-time workers and casual workers. We are also fighting for justice for migrant workers; Indigenous sovereignty; and for adequate federal income supports (Canada Recovery Benefits and Employment Insurance).
RSVP to get the Zoom link and share on Facebook
Wednesday, December 15
BRAMPTON: Paid sick days holiday outreach | 5:00 pm | in person
We all want paid sick days and decent wages for the holidays. Join us at the bus terminal across from the JYSK store at 5:00 pm. We'll be handing out candy canes, collecting signatures on petitions, singing holiday songs and talking to our community about why workplace protections are essential for all of us, on the job or off. Can't wait to see you there!
RSVP to get a reminder email or RSVP and share on Facebook
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Now's the time to step up the fight!
Let us know how we can help you host a workshop, planning meeting, decent work social, phone zap, or an outreach action in your community. And for inspiration, don't miss the province-wide organizing meeting on December 14 at 7:00 pm (EST).
See you there!
Pam Frache
On behalf of Justice For Workers
[1] A $15 minimum wage: Workers paid a steep price for the three-year delay, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, November 8, 2021 https://monitormag.ca/articles/a-15-minimum-wage-workers-paid-a-steep-price-for-the-three-year-delay
We Won! Keep fighting for $20
This week, Premier Doug Ford finally relented and announced he will restore the $15 minimum wage he cancelled back in 2018. We hope you feel proud of your role in forcing this anti-worker Premier to reverse course. This about-face is a vindication of everything we have done together: When we are united, we can make gains even under the most hostile governments.
But in the time it’s taken Ford to admit his mistake, our wages have fallen behind. When Ford cancelled our $15 minimum wage, he also suspended for 2 years the yearly cost of living adjustments.
In doing so, Ford transferred billions of dollars from workers right into the pockets of Amazon, Walmart, Loblaws, and other corporations who made record profit during the pandemic. And during all this, the pandemic has created supply shortages which are causing the price of basic household goods to skyrocket.
It will be seven years since workers first demanded $15 an hour when the $15 minimum wage takes effect in January 2022. That’s why a $15 minimum wage doesn’t cut. We need at least $20 an hour to survive!
$20/hour minimum wage for all. No exemptions.
As part of his minimum-wage announcement, Premier Ford promised to scrap the sub-minimum wage rate for liquor servers. This will increase liquor servers’ wages from $12.55 to $15.00, a pay hike of almost 20%. This is a huge step forward in our ongoing fight for equal pay. But our work isn’t done. Migrant workers are still exempted from minimum wage laws and students under the age of 18 are will still be paid less than their over-18 coworkers.
Decent Work Organizing Meeting: November 16th
We must keep fighting until everyone earns at least $20 an hour. That’s why we need YOU at our next decent work organizing meeting on Tuesday, November 16 at 7:00 pm EST. Will you be there?
Say YES to Paid Sick Days
NDP MPP Peggy Sattler’s private members’ Bill 8 for 10 paid sick days (plus 14 more days during public health outbreaks) will be debated on November 18 and the vote will take place November 22. We know the Ontario Liberals will be supporting Bill 8 so if Premier Ford and Labour Minister Monte McNaughton are serious about “working for workers,” the Conservative caucus must unanimously vote YES to implement Bill 8 without delay.
Workers can't wait another day for paid sick days. Join us at November's Organizing meeting to organize for paid sick days!
Tell Prime Minister Trudeau to restore the CRB
If we can force a Conservative Premier to reverse course on the minimum wage, we can convince our Prime Minister and federal Finance Minister to change their minds on cancelling the Canada Recovery Benefit. Eliminating CRB will not address the real source of the labour shortage, which is caused by transportation bottlenecks and an exodus of workers from jobs with poverty wages, unsafe working conditions, and unstable hours.
It's not too late for Justin Trudeau and Chrystia Freeland to do the right thing. 
November 10th: Phone Zap to bring back the CRB and fix EI!
On November 10 at 12:30 EST, we are joining forces with Campaign 2000; the Good Jobs for All coalition; the Steelworkers Toronto Area Council; and UNIFOR for a pan-Canadian Phone Zap to call on our federal representatives to bring back CRB income supports and to fix Employment Insurance for good.
Please join us for 45 minutes next Wednesday, November 10th at 12:30 pm EST (9:30 am PST and 1:30 pm AST). Every phone call and email we make will be crucial, so your participation is essential.
From paid sick days to the minimum wage, the tide is turning in favour of workers across this country. And we couldn't have done it without you!
Stop Wage Theft: Support Cargo County Truck Drivers
Stop wage theft
Four truck drivers - Gurmukh, Dharamjot, Karandip, and Parbat - have been fighting for justice since leaving their jobs with Cargo County Group.
Workers have faced wage theft, illegal deductions and other violations of the law and together, these four workers are owed well over $70,000 in unpaid wages.
One by one, workers have been filing complaints at the federal Ministry of Labour. As the complaints make their way through the process outlined in the Canada Labour Code, the Ministry is confirming their cases. For example, the Ministry of Labour has ordered Cargo County to pay Gurmukh $18,579.82 and Dharamjot $13,427.25. Other workers’ claims are pending.
Misclassification as "self-employed"
Cargo County needs to change their business practice of misclassifying workers to increase their profits. Cargo County still refuses to abide by the decision of the Ministry of Labour that the workers are employees and owed basic rights. Cargo County is now using loopholes in the law to stall, exhaust the workers, and avoid their responsibilities to pay the stolen wages.
But these brave workers are standing strong. They have rightly used all the proper legal channels to get justice. When the Ministry of Labour finally ordered Cargo County to pay the stolen wages, Gurmukh and Dharamjot thought their struggle was finally over.
Still - Cargo County refuses to pay what they owe!
But these brave workers are standing strong. In making complaints, they used all the proper legal channels to get justice.
When the Ministry of Labour finally ordered Cargo County to pay the stolen wages, Gurmukh and Dharamjot thought their struggle was finally over. But Cargo County still won’t pay the money they owe.
That’s why, after years of fighting for their hard-earned wages, the workers have been left with no other choice than to organize a public campaign calling attention to the actions of Cargo County.
Since Gurmukh, Dharamjot, Karandip, and Parbat launched the public campaign, more truck drivers have come forward with their own experiences of misclassification, illegal deductions and wage theft.
Cargo County launches lawsuit to bully workers into silence
Cargo County has now launched a $17 million dollar lawsuit against the workers who are simply asking to be paid the wages they are entitled to.
We are shocked by the intimidation and retaliatory behaviour of Cargo County. These kinds of SLAPP lawsuits (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) are designed to silence workers who dare to stand up for their rights. But we won't let Cargo County get away with it!
How can you support truck drivers at Cargo County?
Spread the word about the wage theft at Cargo County
Download and share this poster in your neighbourhood.
Tell Cargo County to pay their workers!
Tell them they must stop making illegal deductions and stop misclassifying workers as “independent contractors” or “self-employed.”
Call or text Cargo County owners:
- CEO Randeep Sandhu (cell): 416-315-2530
- CEO Pawel Sandhu (cell): 647-606-2594
You can also leave a voicemail on Cargo County’s general line at 1-888-673-9601.
Tell the federal Minister of Labour to protect workers!
Tell the Minister to:
- Support legislation that will end the misclassification of workers as “self-employed” or “independent contractors”
- Ensure such laws are proactively enforced
Call the Federal Minister of Labour:
- Seamus O’Regan Jr. at 613-992-0927
Paid Sick Days: Back by Popular Demand
Paid sick days are back on the legislative agenda
Last year, the Ontario NDP broke ground by tabling legislation echoing our campaign demands for employer-paid sick days plus the 14 additional days during pandemics. Soon after, the Liberal's followed with their own paid sick days bill. In response, Doug Ford and his caucus voted down permanent paid sick days no less than 25 times.
But thanks to your support, paid sick days are back by popular demand. In the first week of the new fall legislative session, both the Ontario Liberals and the NDP tabled new paid sick day bills. (Bill 7, 10 Paid Sick Days for Ontario Workers Act, 2021 and Bill 8, Stay Home If You Are Sick Act, 2021). Both bills call for 10 permanent paid sick days with additional paid days during public health emergencies (10 and 14 days respectively).
74 days left to introduce federal paid sick days
During the Federal election, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed to legislate 10 permanent paid sick days for federally-regulated workers within 100 days of their re-election, and convene the provinces to close the paid sick days gap across the country.
Now's the time to fight for a comprehensive vision for paid sick days. We need you to join us at the next Decent Work Organizing Meeting on Tuesday, October 19 at 7 pm EDT. Let's keep up the pressure to legislate paid sick days on our own federal and provincial representatives.
Will you be at the October Decent Work Organizing meeting?
Extend CRB. Fix Employment Insurance.
The Canada Recovery Benefit is set to expire on October 23rd. If the CRB is allowed to end it will be devastating for thousands of families across Canada, especially in areas of the country where COVID cases are dangerously high.
Eliminating CRB will not address the real cause of the labour shortage which is the exodus of workers from jobs with poverty wages, unsafe working conditions, and unstable hours. That’s why we must extend CRB and indeed restore the weekly benefits to at least $500 per week.
We also need to fix Employment Insurance to be more accessible, adequate and inclusive. This means:
- Restoring the $500 floor for weekly benefits;
- Reducing the required insurable hours to 12 weeks of work or 360 hours;
- Making all EI benefits available for at least a year;
- Eliminating unfair rules that punish workers for leaving exploitative work;
- Ensuring access for migrant workers; and
- Ending misclassification so gig workers can access EI and other entitlements.
Take action now and send an email to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other federal representatives.
Solidarity with gig-workers!
Premier Doug Ford is soon set to ram through legislation that will make it legal for app-based companies like Uber to misclassify their workforce. If allowed to proceed, this law will create a new category of employee that will permanently deny gig workers full protection under the law.
Jennifer Scott, President of Gig Workers United will host a breakout group at our organizing meeting on Tuesday, October 19, where we'll plan next steps in the fight to protect gig workers. Please RSVP here to receive the Zoom link to the meeting.
Stop wage theft at Cargo County Trucking
Workers at Cargo County Trucking company are facing wage theft, illegal deductions and unsafe working conditions. But even after being ordered by the government to pay their workers what they are owed, this company continues to evade their legal obligations and refuses to budge.
Will you take 5 minutes to phone Cargo County to let them know you support the workers? Tell them you won’t stop speaking out until workers receive their full pay. We've provided phone numbers, background information and suggested speaking notes.
Upcoming Events and Actions
Saturday, October 16 - 3:00 pm EDT
SCARBOROUGH: Decent work outreach blitz
Malvern Community Recreation Centre (Bus Stop)
Nineteen months into the pandemic and Ontario still doesn’t have fair wages for frontline workers or 10 permanent paid sick days!. Join us in Scarborough at Sewells Rd. and Brenyon Way (near the bus stop outside Malvern Community Centre). We’ll be talking to community members and asking them to sign our decent work petition.
RSVP to let us know you're coming
Tuesday, October 19 - 7:00 pm
ONTARIO: Provincial Decent Work Organizing Meeting
Online
Join us at the October 19 decent work organizing meeting where we’ll be hosting an emergency phone action on extending CRB and fixing EI. We'll also have breakout groups to fight for paid sick days, gig-workers, and more
RSVP to receive the Zoom link
Friday, October 22
CANADA-WIDE: Paid sick days phone ZAP Online
Online
We need at least 10 permanent, universal, seamlessly accessible, fully-paid sick days now! No matter where you are across the country, we need your voice as we call for federal and provincial or territorial action.
RSVP to receive the Zoom link and Spread the word on Facebook here
Friday, October 22 - 6:00pm
ETOBICOKE: Paid sick days & Decent Work outreach blitz
Islington TTC Station
Join us for this outreach blitz in Etobicoke. We’ll be leading on the urgent need for paid sick days.
RSVP and share on Facebook to let us know you're coming
Sunday, October 24 - 11:00 am
BRAMPTON: Justice for Workers Organizing Meeting
Warehouse Workers’ Centre | 224 Rutherford Road South, Brampton
Join us on Sunday at 11 am to plan the next steps in the fight for justice for workers in Brampton. We will be doing a short training on how to meet with elected representatives so that we can be delivered the many signatures we have been collecting on our Decent Work petition.
RSVP and let us know you're coming and share on Facebook
Thursday, October 28 - 6:00 pm
ONTARIO: Decent Work and Health Network Organizing Meeting
Online
Paid sick days and decent work are fundamental health issues. That's why Health providers are meeting on Thursday, October 28 to plan next steps in winning at least 10 permanent paid sick days federally and provincially.
If you’re a health worker, please RSVP to get the Zoom Link
Thursday, November 4 - 6:00 pm
DURHAM REGION: Paid sick days phone Zap!
Online
The federal government is promising action on 10 paid sick days before the end of 2021. But we need also provincial legislation to protect the rest of us. We’ll be calling Durham Region elected officials to tell them we need 10 permanent, employer-paid sick days.
Saturday, November 6 - 12:00 noon
MILTON: Decent work planning meeting and outreach blitz
Milton Public Library Main Branch| 1010 Main Street East, Milton
We'll be meeting at 12 noon inside the Milton Public Library (Main Branch). Then we'll head out for another outreach blitz at 1:00 pm.
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See you at next Tuesday’s decent work organizing meeting! And if you can’t make it, join us next month for our November 16 organizing meeting.
Rajean - for the Justice for Workers team
It's Thanksgiving weekend. Will you be the next Decent Work Champion?
October 7 was World Day for Decent Work. But we know workers have to fight for better wages and working conditions every single day of the year.
Here at home, the Justice for Workers campaign (formerly the Fight for $15 and Fairness) is led by workers in low-wage, part-time, and unstable employment. By fighting and organizing together, we raised the minimum wage, forced governments to move on paid sick days, secured improvements for part-time and temp agency workers, and improved labour laws for millions of workers.
But battling bad bosses and big business takes resources.
That’s why, as we head into the Thanksgiving weekend, we are asking you to become a Decent Work Champion by making a $20 contribution each month.
From farm workers and grocery store workers to truck drivers and delivery workers, the people who are putting food on our tables this weekend deserve a $20 minimum wage and much better working conditions.
Will you be our next Decent Work Champion?
Having consistent monthly support allows us to plan ahead and expand the resources we need to make decent work for all a reality. This is especially important, as we gear up for a provincial election that's just eight months away!
No matter what you can contribute, every donation will be well-used and appreciated. Your monthly contribution will make all the difference.
Justice for Workers Zoom Background
https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12Yq76Jpow06sQsj9KDDHBGnNqGrn3I34&export=download
10 Paid Sick Days in 100 Days
This Federal Election may have returned a Liberal minority government, but we won't allow it to return to the status quo. With the Liberal government pledging to take action on paid sick days within their first 100 days, we have a real opportunity to advance a decent work agenda.
It's time for 10 Paid Sick Days
Within 100 days of being elected, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to:
- Legislate 10 permanent, paid sick days for federally regulated workers
- Push provinces and territories to take action on legislating paid sick days
During the election, the NDP was the first federal political party to support 10 legislated paid sick days, and now that the Liberals are also championing this basic right, we can't let this opportunity go to waste. There are 85 days left for the government to make good on their promise, and we must hold them accountable.
Let's be clear: Paid sick days must be employer-paid
Profitable companies like Amazon, Walmart and Loblaws are refusing to provide paid sick days to their workers to protect their health. Instead, they are demanding public money be diverted from health care to subsidize their bottom line. We don’t need more corporate subsidies. We need wealthy corporations to pay their fair share with employer-paid sick days.
#MakeGigWorkDecentWork
Employers misclassify workers as independent contractors to deny them basic rights like minimum wage, and overtime and vacation pay. Misclassification also allows app-based corporations to avoid paying their fair share to workers' Employment Insurance and Canada Pension Plan.
Right now, Premier Doug Ford is preparing to table legislation that will make it legal for corporations like Uber to classify gig workers as independent contractors. Any law that legalizes a new sub-category of “workers” will legalize inequality. We cannot allow further Uberization of our workplaces.
On October 7th - the World Day for Decent Work - we join with gig workers to demand:
- An end to the misclassification of gig workers as independent contractors
- Full and equal rights under Ontario's Employment Standards Act and the Canada Labour Code.
In Toronto, we'll gather at Queen’s Park at 8 am to tell our Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) that it’s time to fully protect gig-workers' rights -- including the right to join unions.
If you can’t make it to Queen’s Park on October 7, help amplify this message on social media using the hashtags #MakeGigWorkDecentWork and #Justice4Workers. Please also tag Labour Minister Monte McNaughton @MonteMcNaughton and Premier Doug Ford @FordNation.
Stop wage theft at Cargo County
Throughout the pandemic, too many truck drivers have been misclassified as independent contractors, and are dealing with wage theft, illegal deductions, and unsafe working conditions.
But courageous workers from Cargo County trucking company are organizing against these employment rights violations.
Join us on Wednesday, October 6 at 12:00 noon for a phone zap to demand Cargo County pay their workers, stop illegal deductions and implement safer workplace practices.
Organize with us this October
Join us on Tuesday, October 19 at 7:00 pm for our monthly organizing meeting co-hosted with the Ontario Federation of Labour. We'll have breakout groups to organize for: 10 employer-paid sick days; solidarity with gig-workers and ending misclassification; fixing Employment Insurance and extending the Canada Recovery Benefits; and more.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIONS
Wednesday, October 6 - 12:00 noon
ONTARIO: Phone ZAP to support Cargo County truck drivers
Join us in calling Cargo County to demand they pay their workers, stop illegal deductions, and implement safer workplace practices.
Please click here to RSVP or RSVP and share on Facebook.
Thursday, October 7 - 8:00 am
ONTARIO: #MakeGigWorkDecentWork
We are joining forces with gig workers on October 7 to demand gig-work be decent work. In Toronto, we will be gathering for an action Queen’s Park at 8:00 am.
If you can't make it to Queen's Park, please amplify the message with #MakeGigWorkDecentWork and #Justice4Workers and tag Labour Minister Monte McNaughton @MonteMcNaughton and Premier Doug Ford @FordNation.
Tuesday, October 19 - 7:00 pm
ONTARIO: Provincial Decent Work Organizing Meeting
Join us online for our monthly provincial organizing meeting co-hosted by the Ontario Federation of Labour. We'll have breakout groups that include organizing the fighting for paid sick days and ending misclassification of gig-workers.
Please click here to RSVP or RSVP and share on Facebook
Friday, October 22 - 5:00 pm
ETOBICOKE: Paid sick days and decent work outreach blitz
Islington TTC Station
Join us for an outreach blitz in Etobicoke. We’ll be leading on the urgent need for paid sick days in the next 85 days.
Please click here to RSVP and share on Facebook
Sunday, October 24 - 11:00 am
BRAMPTON: Justice for Workers Organizing Meeting
Warehouse Workers’ Centre | 224 Rutherford Road South, Brampton
Join us to plan the fight for decent work in Brampton. We will be doing a short training on how to meet with elected representatives so that we can deliver the many signatures we are collecting on our petition for decent work.
Please click here to RSVP or RSVP and share on Facebook
Thursday, October 28 - 6:00 pm
DECENT WORK AND HEALTH NETWORK: Organizing Meeting
Paid sick days and decent work are fundamental health issues. Health providers are meeting on Thursday, October 28 to plan next steps in winning at least 10 permanent paid sick days federally and provincially. With Ford’s temporary paid sick day scheme set to expire at the end of 2021, the time to win paid sick days is now.
Thursday, November 4 - 6:00 pm
DURHAM REGION: Paid sick days phone ZAP!
With the 4th COVID wave peaking, it's urgent the Ontario government steps up to legislate paid sick days. From 6pm to 7pm on November 4th, we’ll be calling Durham Region elected officials to tell them we deserve at least 10 permanent, employer-paid sick days.
Please click here to RSVP or RSVP and share on Facebook
Saturday, November 6 - 12:00 noon
MILTON: Decent work planning meeting and outreach blitz
Milton Public Library (Main Branch) | 1010 Main Street East, Milton
We'll be meeting at 12 noon inside the Milton Public Library (Main Branch). Then we'll head out for a Decent Work outreach blitz at 1:00 pm.
Let's make sure we vote for decent work
If we win a higher federal floor for minimum wage and paid sick days, and if we can win improvements to Employment Insurance and Canada Recovery Benefits, it will make it easier to fight for better provincial labour laws across Canada. Let's send as many decent work champions to Ottawa as we can!
Because of COVID, many election polling locations have changed this year, so make sure you have a plan to vote today.
Where do our parties stand on Decent Work?
A $20 federal minimum wage
New Democratic Party
- Supports a $20 federal minimum wage, with annual cost of living adjustments
Liberal Party of Canada
- Legislated a $15 federal minimum wage which will take effect December 29, 2021, with annual cost of living adjustments
Conservative Party of Canada
- No mention of federal minimum wage in their platform
Green Party of Canada
- Supports a $15 federal minimum wage
10 permanent, employer-paid sick days
New Democratic Party
- Supports legislating 10 permanent, paid sick days for federally regulated workers
- Will meet with provinces to push for legislated paid sick days for provincially regulated workers
- Will extend Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit until all workers have paid sick days
Liberal Party of Canada
- Supports legislating 10 permanent, paid sick days for federally regulated workers
- Will meet with provinces to push for legislated paid sick days for provincially regulated workers
Conservative Party of Canada
- No mention of legislated paid sick days in their platform
Green Party of Canada
- No mention of legislated paid sick days in platform
Employment Insurance (EI) for all, with a minimum of $500/week for both EI and Canada Recovery Benefits (CRB)
New Democratic Party
- Supports a minimum floor of $2,000 per month ($500 per week) for those on Employment Insurance
- Will eliminate unfair rules so EI is available to those who have to quit their jobs, go back to school, provide childcare, protect their health or the health of immunocompromised family members
- Will allow workers with episodic illnesses and disabilities to access EI sickness benefits one day at a time as needed
- Will extend EI sickness benefits to 50 weeks
Liberal Party of Canada
- Supports a new benefit for self-employed workers comparable to EI for as long as 26 weeks up with a maximum of $15,500. Workers would only contribute as much as they would pay as an employee
- Continue the review of EI for a stronger and more inclusive Employment Insurance system that began prior to the election
- Has extended EI Sickness Benefits to 26 weeks and scheduled to take effect in Summer 2022
Conservative Party of Canada
- No mention of improving Employment Insurance Regular Benefits
- For gig-workers only, will create a private plan that would provide gig workers with only a fraction of what they would receive from EI if they were not misclassified as “self-employed”
- Will extend EI sickness benefits to 52 weeks only for those suffering “a serious illness.”
Green Party of Canada
- No mention of improving EI or the CRB
September 21: Decent Work Organizing meeting
No matter who wins the federal election, we will need to keep organizing for decent work for all. Join us on Tuesday, September 21 at 7 pm EDT. We will debrief the election results and plan the next steps in our campaign.
October 1: A new Ontario minimum wage
Workers fought hard to win the annual cost of living adjustments to the minimum wage so that our wages don’t fall even further behind. Check your pay stub after October 1st to make sure you received the new, higher minimum wage.
But Ontario’s minimum is still too low. Conservative Premier Doug Ford cancelled our $15 minimum wage that would have come into effect on January 2019. Had Premier Ford not cancelled it, our minimum wage would be $15.75 this October 1st instead of $14.35.
Ford has robbed workers of $1.40 an hour. For the more than 1.7 million minimum wage earners in this province, that represents $2.5 million an hour transferred from workers’ pockets to corporate profits.
Premier Ford claims he's "For the people". Yet again he shows he is for corporations like Amazon, Loblaws, Walmart and others who've raked in record profits while paying poverty-level wages and denying their workers permanent, employer-paid sick days.
So while we’re glad to have our annual wage adjustment, let’s redouble our efforts to win a $20 minimum wage for all and keep our annual cost of living adjustments. That’s another good reason to RSVP for the next provincial organizing meeting on Tuesday, September 21.
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UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIONS
Tuesday, September 21 - 7:00 pm
ONTARIO: Provincial Decent Work Organizing Meeting
Join us and the Ontario Federation of Labour as we debrief the Federal election results and plan the next steps in our campaign for decent work.
RSVP for Zoom Link and share the event on Facebook
Friday, September 24 - 12:30 pm
TORONTO: Climate Strike
Queen’s Park | Toronto
Two years after Toronto saw its largest climate strike, let’s gather again to demand real and immediate climate action. More details are to come, but in the meantime, click “going”, mark the date on your calendars, and invite your friends!
Sunday, September 26 - 12:00 pm
BRAMPTON: Justice for Workers Organizing Meeting
Warehouse Workers’ Centre | 224 Rutherford Road South, Brampton
We’ve been out canvassing and we know that Brampton wants decent work for all. Join us on Sunday at 12:00 noon to plan next steps in the fight for justice for workers.
Let us know you're coming and share the event on Facebook.
Monday, September 27 - 6:00 pm
LONDON: Decent Work Canvass and Postering
Victoria Park | 580 Clarence Street, London
We’ll be out on the streets talking about why we need to keep fighting for a $20 minimum wage, paid sick days, fair scheduling, equal pay for part-time and full-time workers, and so much more. Meet us by the stage within Victoria Park.
Wednesday, September 29 - 6:00 pm
ETOBICOKE: Know Your Rights Teach-In
Michael Power Park | 5055 Dundas St W, Toronto
Got a bad boss? Got questions about your rights at work? Want to join the fight for decent work? Then let's talk! Join us for this outdoor teach-in to learn about your rights at work and how to defend them.
Let us know you're coming and share the event on Facebook.
Friday, October 1 - 5:00 pm
TORONTO WEST: Decent Work Canvass
Dufferin TTC Station | Toronto
We’ll be out on the streets talking about why we need to keep fighting for a $20 minimum wage, paid sick days, fair scheduling, equal pay for part-time and full-time workers, and so much more. Join us on the northwest corner of Dufferin and Bloor.
Let us know you're coming and share the event on Facebook.
Tuesday, October 19 - 7:00 pm
ONTARIO: Provincial Decent Work Organizing Meeting
Join us online for our monthly provincial organizing meeting co-hosted by the Ontario Federation of Labour.
