Parliament has resumed and there’s no excuse for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau not to act immediately to restore $500 in weekly federal income support and make permanent improvements to Employment Insurance. 

That’s why we’re organizing emergency phone actions on Wednesday, February 2 to call on federal decision-makers to step up. This Wednesday, there will be two phone actions at different times, so no matter where you are in Canada, you can join in and invite your friends and co-workers.

11:30 am (EST) is:

• 8:30 am on the west coast
• 12:30 pm in the Atlantic region
• 1:00 pm in Newfoundland & Labrador

6:00 pm (EST) is:

• 3:00 pm on the west coast 
• 7:00 pm in the Atlantic region
• 7:30 pm in Newfoundland & Labrador

Can you join one of these emergency actions?

Are you inspired?

Read on to see upcoming workshops, actions, local meetings, and events where you can jump in.

Saturday, February 5 | 10:00 am to 12:00 and 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm EST 

The first weeks of 2022 give us a glimpse of the crises workers are facing. 

With Omicron spreading fast, the health and economic crisis is intensifying. But governments at all levels are not responding adequately. We need to activate more people if we are to force governments to step up with the protections we need. 

In this Action Update, we are summarizing the upcoming actions we planned at the January 18 decent work organizing meeting. Read on to see where you can plugin.

And if you missed the meeting, we recorded a few highlights from the meeting – including an exciting look at the year ahead!

Our next organizing meeting is coming up on February 15, so please RSVP now and bring a friend.

Sunday, January 30 - 7:00 pm EST

Town Hall: Migrants in Crisis! Migrants in Action

Migrants across Canada are being forced to keep going to work even while sick. Those of us who are migrants are working longer hours in more dangerous working conditions. But without full and permanent immigration status, we cannot access basic rights and services such as healthcare, emergency income support or workplace protections.

Our movement is stronger when we can all fight together. That’s why migrants are hosting a pan-Canadian Town Hall and why we are calling on our allies and fellow workers to join us. 

Wednesday, February 2 - 11:30 am EST & 6:00 pm EST 

Restore $500 in federal income support! Fix EI for good! EMERGENCY PHONE ACTION

Omicron has created a crisis on the frontlines. Workers and their families are getting sick in record numbers, and reduced demand and capacity restrictions are causing layoffs and lost shifts. Yet our federal government's response has been shockingly inadequate.

Nobody can survive on the $300 per week ($270 after-tax) on the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit (CWLB). And now that eviction moratoriums are being lifted in places like Ontario, many of the workers who have their lost incomes are now also facing homelessness.

We must demand everyone in need gets at least $500 weekly income support. 

On Wednesday, February 2, we are hosting two emergency phone actions: 11:30 am (EST) and 6 pm (EST).

Can you join one of these emergency actions?

We have strength in numbers - please talk with your friends and co-workers and bring at least two more people with you. 

Tuesday, February 15 - 7:00 pm EST

Decent work organizing meeting 

Join us at the next monthly decent work online organizing meeting. Co-hosted by Justice for Workers and the Ontario Federation of Labour, we meet every four weeks to plan and coordinate local and provincial actions to win: a $20 minimum wage; at least 10 paid sick days plus 14 more during a pandemic; equal pay for equal work, regardless of our status as part-time, contract, casual, or temp agency workers; and protections on the job when we enforce our legal rights. We want health and safety on the job and decency for injured workers. We are also fighting for adequate federal income support for those of us forced out of work and for full immigration status for all of us.

Take a moment to let us know what kinds of action you’d like to take by completing this survey, so we can help you get it organized in your community or workplace. 

Mark your calendars:

We meet every four weeks on Tuesday at 7:00 pm EST, so the next organizing meetings are scheduled for: March 15, April 12, May 10, and June 7.

February and March

Building Worker Power - Online workshops

Throughout February and March, Justice for Workers is hosting a series of online training sessions. Let’s share knowledge and build skills as more of us join the fight for decent work. 

Here’s the plan: 

Our Building Worker Power workshop consists of four modules (A, B, C, & D as described below). In February, we will host workshops A, B, and C and in March, we will host workshops A, B, and D. We will offer different configurations of the workshops depending on whether they are being offered on a Saturday or Sunday or a weeknight. 

A)   Getting Started: Reviewing the Agenda for Decent Work

• Why our agenda is a racial justice agenda 
• Where our demands came from and why they matter to our communities
• Why do we build power and why can’t we just rely on elected representatives to do it for us?

B)   Busting the Big Business BS

• Dealing with difficult questions from the minimum wage to how we make change
• Who creates wealth and how do we close the wealth equity gap?
• Common myths about raising the minimum wage

C)   MPP visits as an organizing strategy

• Demonstrating our power from rallies to phone zaps and from petitions to MPP visits
• How do we show our power when we meet with MPPs?
• Know Your Rights workshops as organizing strategies to build workers’ confidence in the workplace

D)   Outreach and follow-up (coming in March) 

• Why follow-up is essential to growing our movement 
• How do we build the confidence of new leaders?
• Learning, testing, assessing, and trying again 

Here’s the calendar:

Saturday, February 5 | 10:00 am to 12:00 and 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm EST 

WORKSHOP: Building Worker Power

Join us for this online workshop where we will be sharing knowledge and building skills to fight for decent work.

10:00 am to 12:00 pm: Module A

Getting Started: Reviewing the Agenda for Decent Work

12:00 pm to 12:30 pm: BREAK

12:30 pm to 2:00 pm: Choose either Module B or Module C

Busting the Big Business BS or
MPP visits as an organizing strategy

RSVP here for the Zoom link.

Wednesday, February 9 | 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm EST 

WORKSHOP: MPP visits as an organizing strategy

Join us for this online workshop where we will learn how and why we meet with MPPs, and why we don’t rely on them to do it for us. This is Module C of the Building Worker Power online training series.

RSVP here for the Zoom link.

Sunday, February 13 | 10:00 am to 12:00 and 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm 

WORKSHOP: Building Worker Power

Join us for this online workshop where we will be sharing knowledge and building skills to fight for decent work.

10:00 am to 12:00 pm: Module A
Getting Started: Reviewing the Agenda for Decent Work

12:00 pm to 12:30 pm: BREAK  

12:30 pm to 2:00 pm: Choose either Module B or Module C

Busting the Big Business BS or
MPP visits as an organizing strategy

RSVP here for the Zoom link.

Wednesday, February 23 | 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm EST 

WORKSHOP: Getting started: Reviewing the Agenda for Decent Work

Join us for this online workshop where we will learn where our decent work agenda came from, why it is fundamental to racial justice, and how these issues impact our communities. This is Module A of the Building Worker Power online training series.

RSVP here for the Zoom link.

Saturday, February 26 | 10:00 am to 12:00 and 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm EST 

WORKSHOP: Building Worker Power

Join us for this online workshop where we will be sharing knowledge and building skills to fight for decent work.

10:00 am to 12:00 pm: Module A
Getting Started: Reviewing the Agenda for Decent Work

12:00 pm to 12:30 pm: BREAK

12:30 pm to 2:00 pm: Choose either Module B or Module C

Busting the Big Business BS or
MPP visits as an organizing strategy

RSVP here for the Zoom link. 

Local actions and events:

Thursday, January 27 | 5:00 pm 

HAMILTON Justice for Workers organizing meeting

Join us for this online organizing meeting where we’ll discuss the next steps in building our fight for decent work in Hamilton. 

RSVP here for the Zoom link 
Please also RSVP and share on Facebook

Saturday, January 29 | 1:00 pm 

GUELPH Outreach action!
Outside No Frills in the Willow West Mall, 191 Silvercreek Parkway North
Click here for the exact location

Join us for this outreach action where we will be leafleting and signing people up to join the justice for workers campaign. We’ll meet outside No Frills in the Willow West Mall. 

Please let us know you’re coming by emailing [email protected] or RSVP online here. Please also RSVP and share on Facebook

Monday, January 31 | 6:30 pm 

LONDON Justice for Workers organizing meeting

Join us for this online organizing meeting where we’ll discuss the next steps in building our fight for decent work in London. 

RSVP here for the Zoom link  
Please also RSVP and share on Facebook 

Sunday, February 6 | 2:00 pm 

GUELPH Justice for Workers organizing meeting

Join us for this online organizing meeting where we’ll discuss the next steps in building our fight for decent work in Guelph. 

RSVP here for the Zoom link 
Please also RSVP and share on Facebook 

Saturday & Sunday, February 12 & 13  | 11:00 am 

OTTAWA Outreach action!
Outside Whole Foods at 951 Bank St
Click here for the exact location 

Join us for an hour outside Whole Foods on Bank Street at 11:00 am on Saturday and/or Sunday for this outreach blitz where we'll be collecting signatures on petitions, and leafleting about our upcoming Know Your Rights at Work online training session. We'll be talking to workers, friends and neighbours about why we all need decent work. 

RSVP online to let us know you’re coming: Click here for Saturday and here for Sunday

Please also RSVP and share on Facebook: Click here for Saturday and here for Sunday 

Sunday, February 20 | 2:00 pm 

GUELPH Know your rights at work - workshop

Employers take advantage when workers don’t have rights, don’t know what they are, or don’t know how to enforce them. Do you have questions about income support during the Omicron crisis? Do you have all the protection you need to stay safe at work? Have you been paid for all your hours? Do you have the paid sick days you need to care for yourself and your family? Jared Ong, an organizer for the Workers' Action Centre, will walk us through our rights at work and how to use them. Co-sponsored by the Guelph and District Labour Council. For more information please email [email protected].

RSVP here for the Zoom link 
Please also RSVP and share on Facebook

Sunday, February 20 | 2:00 pm 

OTTAWA Know your rights at work - workshop

Employers take advantage when workers don’t have rights, don’t know what they are, or don’t know how to enforce them. Do you have questions about income support during the Omicron crisis? Do you have all the protections you need to stay safe at work? Have you been paid for all your hours? Do you have the paid sick days you need to care for yourself and your family?

Join us for this online workshop where we will learn about our work and how to use them. Please RSVP to get the Zoom link. 

RSVP here for the Zoom link 
Please also RSVP and share on Facebook

Sunday, February 27 | 11:00 am 

BRAMPTON Justice for Workers organizing meeting

Join us for this online organizing meeting where we’ll discuss the next steps in building our fight for decent work in Brampton. 

RSVP here for the Zoom link
Please also RSVP and share on Facebook

Tuesday, March 1 | 7:00 pm 

OTTAWA Justice for Workers organizing meeting

Join us for this online organizing meeting where we’ll discuss the next steps in building our fight for decent work in Ottawa. 

RSVP here for the Zoom link 
Please also RSVP and share on Facebook

--

Pam Frache on behalf of Justice for Workers

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

[1] Toronto Star: We’re starting to force people to come to work with COVID — and some workers may die as a result

Thanks to you, we’ve made a huge difference in the lives of workers across Canada. Winning a higher minimum wage and paid sick days helps close the racial and gender wage gap, and save lives.

We are so proud of what we have accomplished together.

Federally-regulated workers

Here's what's we've improved for workers in sectors such as trucking, banking, airlines, telecommunications:

• As of December 29, there will be a federal minimum wage for the first time in 25 years. At $15 an hour, tens of thousands of workers will get a long-overdue wage bump. And because we won annual cost of living (COL) adjustments, federally-regulated workers will get their first COL adjustment three months later on April 1, 2022.
  
  
• Paid sick days legislation will come into effect in 2022. Under the new legislation, workers in federally-regulated sectors employed for 30 days will have access to 3 employer-paid sick days and will earn an additional 7 at the rate of 1 day/month over the course of the year.  

We have also made progress at the provincial level where most workers are protected by Employment Standards legislation. Here are some highlights:

British Columbia

• 5 permanent, employer-paid sick days come into effect on January 1, 2022.

New Brunswick

• In 2022, the minimum wage in New Brunswick will rise from $11.75 to $13.75, with a $1 wage bump on April 1 and another $1 increase on October 1.

Ontario

This year, we forced Doug Ford's Conservative government to backtrack on some anti-worker policies.

• Premier Doug Ford cancelled the $15 minimum wage in 2018. But this year, we pushed him to change course to restore the $15 minimum wage and eliminate the sub-minimum wage rate for liquor servers. (Liquor server wages will increase by 20% from $12.55 to $15 an hour.) These changes take effect on January 1, 2022, and as a result, about one million workers will get a raise. 
  
  
• Despite Ford cutting 2 paid sick days as one of his first acts in government, we forced him to introduce a 3-day paid sick leave scheme for COVID-related illnesses that will be extended (for the second time) to July 2022. 

We hope you feel proud and inspired. 

Getting this far has taken hard work and solidarity. But we have so much further to go. We still need a $20 minimum wage and at least 10 employer-paid sick days. And with the Omicron variant spiking, we are redoubling our effort to reinstate Canada Emergency Response Benefits at $500 per week. Click here to send an urgent email to your Member of Parliament.

But the more progress we make for decent work, the more the big corporations - with all their money - will fight us. To beat back the big business backlash, we need an army of local leaders who can turn the sentiment for decent work into a powerful movement.

Will you make a contribution to the Justice for Workers Fighting Fund?

Justice for Workers has an ambitious agenda for 2022 and we want to hit the ground running:

• We want to train leaders in every region of the province to organize in every workplace, in every language, and in every community.
• We want to make sure every local organizer has the tools and resources for conducting those crucial organizing conversations with co-workers and community members. 
• We want to make sure that every decent work household has a door, window or lawn sign supporting a $20 minimum wage, 10 paid sick days, equal pay for part-time, contract and temp workers, and more.
• And we want to elect decent work champions in every riding in the province.

Become a monthly donor:

• $25 for 12 months will give us the resources to offer a one-day training to a local leader -- and $50 per month would let us train two!
• $15 for 12 months will give us the resources to fund and distribute 9 lawn signs. 
• $5 for 12 months allows us to provide 12 clipboards and petitions to local activists.
• $1 every month helps pay for crucial infrastructure like our website and social media platforms. 

Interested in making a one-time donation? 

• $500 will cover the cost of an essential organizing kit for a local Justice for Workers chapter. A  kit includes: a portable table and custom-sized mesh tablecloth, a banner, clipboards, placards, stickers, buttons, as well as posters, leaflets, and fact sheets.
• $300 covers the cost of a smaller organizing kit, including a portable table, custom mesh tablecloth, clipboards, and buttons. 
• A $5,000 donation would allow us to put an organizer in the field for one day a week for six months.

In fact, if every worker in Ontario gave just a single dollar every month, we would have a fighting fund big enough to out-organize even the most expensive corporate campaign. Every single cent we receive makes a world of difference in our ability to organize and fight for decent work and wages. No amount of money is too small!

Thank you again for everything you have done this past year to make work better for so many of us. We hope you have a wonderful holiday season. Please take care, stay safe, and squeeze in some much-needed rest and relaxation too; 2022 is going to be a big year for all of us!

Happy holidays and all the best for the year ahead!

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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. 
  
  
• 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

-----------------

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 

Next week, Ontario MPPs will be voting on Peggy Sattler's Bill for paid sick days. MPP Sattler is the NDP Labour critic and her "Stay Home If You Are Sick Act" (Bill 8) would legislate 10 employer-provided permanent paid sick days (plus 14 more during public health outbreaks). Both the Liberals and Greens have pledged to support Bill 8.

Only Premier Doug Ford and his caucus stand between us and legislated, permanent paid sick days for all. 

If Premier Ford and Labour Minister McNaughton are truly "working for workers" as they claim, then they too should vote YES to Bill 8 next week.

Tell your MPP: Vote Yes on Paid Sick Days

That's why we need your help to demand your local Conservative Party MPP vote YES to paid sick days next week. Here's how:

1. Let us know you're coming to help
2. Download and print these paid sick days posters
3. Find your MPP’s office with your postal code 
   
4. Anytime on Thursday, November 18, visit your MPP’s office and put up the posters.
   
5. Share photos of your action on social media with these hashtags:
   
   #Justice4Workers     #10Days     #PaidSickLeave
   #PaidSickDays         #CdnPoli     #CanLab
   
   
6. Tag supporters in the image with:
   
   @fairwagesnow     @decentworkhlth     @OFLabour          

Organize with us at Tuesday's Organizing meeting

A $15 minimum wage in 2022 is a huge step forward and we should be proud we created the conditions where Ford felt he had to reinstate the wage he cancelled three years ago. Workers deserve and need every additional cent they get.

But $15 not enough. Workers have been waiting too long for fair wages and basic protections like paid sick days.

That's why we need you at tomorrow's online organizing meeting on Tuesday, November 16th at 7pm. Will you join us?

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

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 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.

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 another outreach blitz at 1:00 pm. 

RSVP and share on Facebook

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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

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.