CAN'T SURVIVE ON $8.75!

On Monday March 31st 2008, the Ontario government added 75 cents to an already low minimum wage for a total of $8.75/hour. That still leaves minimum wage earners more than $4000 below the poverty line! More than a million workers in Ontario are earning poverty wages.

The Workers’ Action Centre members, volunteers, and supporters held a rally outside the busy intersection of Dufferin and Bloor on March 31st to say to the McGuinty government that: ONTARIO WORKERS NEED $10.25 NOW!

“An increase of 75 cents does not help my family or other families in Ontario out of poverty,” says Yogarany, a Workers’ Action Centre member. Many workers are forced to juggle 2-3 jobs just to make a decent living.

The Liberal government needs to recognize that the minimum wage should be increased to $10.25, so that people can just reach the poverty line. It’s time for a real raise now.

You can support this campaign by calling the Minister of Labour Brad Duguid (416-326-7600) and Dalton McGuinty (416-325-1941) and tell them that you want the minimum wage increased to $10.25 now! Check out the Ontario Workers Need a Fair Deal campaign to find out more.To read more WAC media coverage please visit our web media page.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FOR ALL!

The new public holiday, Family Day, will be the third Monday of every February.

The Workers’ Action Centre is calling on the provincial government to ensure that all workers can enjoy Family Day. Some employers don’t want to pay temp and contract workers. Outdated labour laws are trapping Ontario workers in poverty and deny fair standards that all workers should get. This is not fair. Temp and contract workers deserve protection under our basic employment laws .
This is not fair. Temp and contract workers deserve protection under our basic employment laws.

Contact the Workers Action Centre if you do not receive public holiday pay. You may be entitled to it.

For more information, read our Family Day Factsheet and visit our Fighting for the Rights of Temp Agency Workers campaign page.
And you can help our campaign by distributing our Public Holiday Poster in your neighbourhood.

ONTARIO WORKERS NEED A FAIR DEAL!
A fair day's pay for a hard day's work? Not in Ontario. Not for the growing number of us pushed into jobs with low wages, bad working conditions and no protection when we don't get paid our wages..

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